Fluorogenic hydrazine-substituted compounds

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to fluorogenic schiff base-forming dyes capable of detecting analytes containing aldehyde and ketone groups. The dyes contain nucleophilic hydrazinyl appendages and are capable of binding and detecting analytes in situ.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/023,191, filed Jan. 24, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Schiff base-forming fluorogenic dyes containing a hydrazinyl substituentappended to a fluorophore are disclosed. The compounds are useful in thedetection of analytes containing aldehyde and ketone groups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A myriad of biomarkers containing aldehyde and ketone moieties exist andcan play an important role in the biological, forensic, medical andindustrial sciences. In particular, aldehydes and ketones are known tobe key end products in the degradation of a variety of biologicalmolecules, such as, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and proteins.In a number of instances, these end products are a result of oxidativestress. In one example, malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal are markersfor lipid peroxidation.

A number of reagents for the detection of aldehyde, andketone-containing moieties have been proposed, however, each withlimited success. Among the most widely used of such reagents are dansylhydrazine, fluorescein thiosernicarbazide, various biotin hydrazides,biotin hydroxylamine (ARP), and various aromatic amines(2-aminopyridine, 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-disulfonic acid,1-aminopyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonic acid, 2-aminoacridone). Unfortunately,these reagents require additional purification and/or secondaryreagents.

Existing methods of labeling carbohydrates that utilize hydrazine,hydroxylamine and amine derivatization reagents have focused on labelingaldehydes present in, or introduced into, carbohydrates, particularlythe so-called “reducing sugars”. Aldehydes are typically introduced intocarbohydrates by periodate oxidation. The adduct formed with thereducing sugar can be further stabilized by treatment with borohydrideor a cyanoborohydride. The derivatization reaction typically proceeds oris followed by a separation technique such as chromatography,electrophoresis, precipitation, affinity isolation or other means beforedirect or indirect detection of the labeled product. Unlike theforegoing, which require purification and the use of a secondarydetection reagent, the reagents of the present invention permit rapidin-situ detection of aldehyde and ketone moieties upon contact.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,967,251 (Haugland et al.) describes aniline-substitutedquinazolinone compounds which can display fluorescent changes uponbinding of aldehyde-containing compounds in a gel. However, theaniline-substituted quinazolinone core, which is important for bindingof the analyte, is less fluorescent and fluorogenic than the compoundsof the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention providessubstantial advantages over the previously described aldehyde and ketonedetector compounds.

A family of hydrazinyl substituted xanthene dyes have been previouslydescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,627 (Widiger). However, each of thexanthene moieties in Widiger are substituted to prevent analyte bindingof the molecule. Particularly, the terminal nitrogen atom in thehydrazinyl moiety in Widiger is carbonylated, such that the hydrazinylgroup is not nucleophilic and unable to bind an aldehyde or ketonemoiety. Accordingly, the compounds are not functional in the analytedetection method of the present invention, which involve a quenchedmolecule up until the analyte binding event. Accordingly, the compoundsin Widiger are functionally and structurally very different from thoseof the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides hydrazinyl-substituted compounds capableof binding aldehyde and ketone-containing analytes in a solution,wherein upon binding of the analyte, the hydrazinyl-substitutedcompounds become highly fluorescent, thereby indicating the presence ofthe analyte.

One aspect of the invention provides a compound of Formula I:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   R¹ and R^(1a) are independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl and substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently        selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,        amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro. SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroalyl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, hydrazinyl, substituted        hydrazinyl, analyte substituted hydrazinyl, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aminocarbonyl,        aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino,        aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy,        aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl        ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro.        SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl,        thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl,        heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted        cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; or    -   R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, or R², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to        form a fused heterocyclyl group, a fused substituted        heterocyclyl group, a fused aryl group, a fused substituted aryl        group, a fused heteroaryl group or a fused substituted        heteroaryl group.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of Formula H:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   Y is H or an analyte;    -   L is —NH— or a covalent bond;    -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl and        substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently        selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,        amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro. SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl,        cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of Formula III:

-   -   or, a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl and        substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected        from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl,        alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino,        substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl,        cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound selected from thegroup consisting of:

Another embodiment of the invention provides a compound selected fromthe group consisting of:

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of Formula V:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   Z¹ a fluorophore and Z² is R⁸; or    -   Z¹ is R⁸ and Z² is a fluorophore;    -   R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino,        aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,        aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,        aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,        carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy,        cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted        sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted        alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted        heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,        and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl,        cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl; or    -   X and R¹⁴ are taken together to form a fused heterocyclyl group,        substituted fused heterocyclyl group, fused heteroaryl group, or        substituted fused heteroaryl group.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of Formula VI:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   G is a 5-6 membered fused aryl or heteroaryl group;    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl and        substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently        selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,        amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, hydrazinyl, substituted        hydrazinyl, analyte substituted hydrazinyl, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aminocarbonyl,        aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino,        aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy,        aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl        ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro,        SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl,        thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl,        heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted        cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; or    -   R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, or R², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to        form a fused heterocyclyl group, a fused substituted        heterocyclyl group, a fused aryl group, a fused substituted aryl        group, a fused heteroaryl group or a fused substituted        heteroaryl group.

Another aspect of the invention provides a composition comprising:

-   -   (a) an analyte; and    -   (b) a compound as described herein.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for determining thepresence of an analyte of interest in a sample, wherein the methodcomprises:

-   -   contacting the sample with a compound described herein;    -   incubating the sample and the compound for a sufficient amount        of time to form a complex between the compound and analyte;    -   illuminating the complex with an appropriate wavelength to form        an illuminated complex; and    -   detecting emissions from the illuminated complex.

Another aspect of the invention provides a kit for detecting an analytein a sample, wherein the kit comprises:

-   -   a compound as describe herein that binds the analyte; and    -   instructions for detecting the analyte.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound comprising a(9-phenyl-3H-xanthen-3-ylidene)hydrazine, wherein the hydrazine group isunsubstituted or substituted with an analyte.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of synthesizing acompound of Formula III, a tautomer thereof, a stereoisomer thereof, ora salt thereof:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   R¹ and R¹¹ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted        aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclyl,        substituted heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, and substituted        cycloalkyl,    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected        from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl,        alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino,        substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl;    -   the method comprising:    -   contacting a compound of formula IV:

-   -   with R¹-NH—NH-R¹² and R¹¹-NH—NH-R¹², wherein R¹² is a protecting        group, thereby obtaining a compound of Formula III(a):

-   -   contacting R¹² with a deprotecting reagent, thereby obtaining a        compound of Formula III.

In another embodiment the SO₃ ⁻ group in formula III is a CO₂ ⁻ and theSO₂ group is a CO.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and the specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows emmission spectra of2-(6-hydrazinyl-3-hydrazono-3H-xanthen-9-yl)benzenesulfonate before andafter contact with acetaldehyde. There was a significant fluorescentincrease upon reaction with an aldehyde. Spectra were taken at pH 6 in a50 mM phosphate buffer solution.

FIG. 2 shows quantitation of aldehyde content in solution. 20 uM of2-(6-hydrazinyl-3-hydrazono-3H-xanthen-9-yl)benzenesulfonate wasincubated with aldehyde for 15 min at room temperature at pH 6 in a 50mM phosphate buffer solution.

FIG. 3A shows the excitation maximum at 519 nm for un-reacted2-(6-hydrazinyl-3-hydrazono-3H-xanthen-9-yl)benzenesulfonate. There wereno fluorescent emissions detected from excitation at 519 nm.

FIG. 3B shows excitation maximum at 548 nm for aldehyde-reacted2-(6-hydrazinyl-3-hydrazono-3H-xanthen-9-yl)benzenesulfonate and abright emmission spectra at 581 nm for the same species. Spectra weretaken at pH 6 in 50 mM phosphate buffer solution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Introduction:

The present invention provides compounds with a hydrazine appendagecapable of binding aldehyde and ketone groups present on analytes ofinterest. The compounds of the present invention generally have afluorescent core that is quenched in the unbound state. Once thehydrazine reacts with an aldehyde or ketone, a Schiff base (imine) isformed. The resultant compound is highly fluorescent, thereby providingan excellent method for detection of aldehydes and ketones in solution.

The compounds of the present invention provide distinct advantages overknown aldehyde detection reagents, including being fluorogenic with ahigh quantum yield, unique emission and excitation wavelengths outsidethe range of endogenous particles, highly stable and high specificityfor ketones and aldehydes, soluble in a variety of solutions,particularly aqueous solutions, and compatibility with biologicalapplications. Additionally, reaction with the compounds of the presentinvention proceeds under milder conditions (rt, aqueous acetic acid)than existing assays. Furthermore, the Schiff base formation appears tobe a near-instantaneous reaction, whereas existing assays require atleast 1 hour reaction time at elevated temperatures. Additionally, theavailable wavelength range for the compounds is large and tunable.

Definitions:

Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to specific compositionsor process steps, as such may vary. It should be noted that, as used inthis specification and the appended claims, the singular form “a”, “an”and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a hydrazine group” includesa plurality of hydrazine groups and reference to “an analyte” includes aplurality of analytes and the like.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention is related. The following terms aredefined for purposes of the invention as described herein.

“Alkyl” refers to monovalent saturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl groupshaving from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms.This term includes, by way of example, linear and branched hydrocarbylgroups such as methyl (CH₃—), ethyl (CH₃CH₂—), n-propyl (CH₃CH₂CH₂—),isopropyl ((CH₃)₂CH—), n-butyl (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂—), isobutyl ((CH₃)₂CHCH₂—),sec-butyl ((CH₃)(CH₃CH₂)CH—), t-butyl ((CH₃)₃C—), n-pentyl(CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—), and neopentyl ((CH₃)₃CCH₂—).

“Substituted alkyl” refers to an alkyl group having from 1 to 5,preferably 1 to 3, or more preferably 1 to 2 substituents selected fromthe group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino,acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, aryl,substituted aryl, aryloxy, substituted aryloxy, arylthio, substitutedarylthio, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxylester)oxy, cyano, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy,substituted cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylthio, substituted cycloalkylthio,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenyloxy, substitutedcycloalkenyloxy, cycloalkenylthio, substituted cycloalkenylthio,guanidino, substituted guanidino, halo, hydroxy, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, substituted heteroaryloxy, heteroarylthio,substituted heteroarylthio, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic,heterocyclyloxy, substituted heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylthio,substituted heterocyclylthio, nitro, SO₃H, substituted sulfonyl,sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, and substituted alkylthio,wherein said substituents are defined herein.

“Alkoxy” refers to the group —O-alkyl wherein alkyl is defined herein.Alkoxy includes, by way of example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy,isopropoxy, n-butoxy, t-butoxy, sec-butoxy, and n-pentoxy.

“Substituted alkoxy” refers to the group —O-(substituted alkyl) whereinsubstituted alkyl is defined herein.

“Acyl” refers to the groups H—C(O)—, alkyl-C(O)—, substitutedalkyl-C(O)—, alkenyl-C(O)—, substituted alkenyl-C(O)—, alkynyl-C(O)—,substituted alkynyl-C(O)—, cycloalkyl-C(O)—, substitutedcycloalkyl-C(O)—, cycloalkenyl-C(O)—, substituted cycloalkenyl-C(O)—,aryl-C(O)—, substituted aryl-C(O)—, heteroaryl-C(O)—, substitutedheteroaryl-C(O)—, heterocyclic-C(O)—, and substitutedheterocyclic-C(O)—, wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl,substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic andsubstituted heterocyclic are as defined herein. Acyl includes the“acetyl” group CH₃C(O)—.

“Acylamino” refers to the groups —NRC(O)alkyl, —NRC(O)substituted alkyl,—NRC(O)cycloalkyl, —NRC(O)substituted cycloalkyl, —NRC(O)cycloalkenyl,—NRC(O)substituted cycloalkenyl, —NRC(O)alkenyl, —NRC(O)substitutedalkenyl, —NRC(O)alkynyl, —NRC(O)substituted alkynyl, —NRC(O)aryl,—NRC(O)substituted aryl, —NRC(O)heteroaryl, —NRC(O)substitutedheteroaryl, —NRC(O)heterocyclic, and —NRC(O)substituted heterocyclicwherein R is hydrogen or alkyl and wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl,alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic andsubstituted heterocyclic are as defined herein.

“Acyloxy” refers to the groups alkyl-C(O)O—, substituted alkyl-C(O)O—,alkenyl-C(O)O—, substituted alkenyl-C(O)O—, alkynyl-C(O)O—, substitutedalkynyl-C(O)O—, aryl-C(O)O—, substituted aryl-C(O)O—, cycloalkyl-C(O)O—,substituted cycloalkyl-C(O)O—, cycloalkenyl-C(O)O—, substitutedcycloalkenyl-C(O)O—, heteroaryl-C(O)O—, substituted heteroaryl-C(O)O—,heterocyclic-C(O)O—, and substituted heterocyclic-C(O)O— wherein alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substitutedcycloalkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substituted heterocyclic are as definedherein.

“Amino” refers to the group —NH₂.

“Substituted amino” refers to the group —NR′R″ where R′ and R″ areindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, —SO₂-alkyl,—SO₂-substituted alkyl, —SO₂-alkenyl, —SO₂-substituted alkenyl,—SO₂-cylcoalkyl, —SO₂-substituted cylcoalkyl, —SO₂—cycloalkenyl,—SO₂-substituted cylcoalkenyl, —SO₂-aryl, —SO₂-substituted aryl,—SO₂-heteroaryl, —SO₂-substituted heteroaryl, —SO₂-heterocyclic, and—SO₂-substituted heterocyclic and wherein R′ and R″ are optionallyjoined, together with the nitrogen bound thereto to form a heterocyclicor substituted heterocyclic group, provided that R′ and R″ are both nothydrogen, and wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substitutedalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substitutedcycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, substitutedaryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substitutedheterocyclic are as defined herein. When R′ is hydrogen and R″ is alkyl,the substituted amino group is sometimes referred to herein asalkylamino. When R′ and R″ are alkyl, the substituted amino group issometimes referred to herein as dialkylamino. When referring to amonosubstituted amino, it is meant that either R′ R″ is hydrogen but notboth. When referring to a disubstituted amino, it is meant that neitherR′ nor R″ are hydrogen.

“Aminocarbonyl” refers to the group —C(O)NR′R″ where R′ and R″ areindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substituted heterocyclic and where R′ andR″ are optionally joined together with the nitrogen bound thereto toform a heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic group, and whereinalkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl,substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, substituted anti, heteroaryl,substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic and substituted heterocyclic are asdefined herein.

“Aminothiocarbonyl” refers to the group —C(S)NR′R″ where R′ and R″ areindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substituted heterocyclic and where R′ andR″ are optionally joined together with the nitrogen bound thereto toform a heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic group, and whereinalkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl,substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,substituted cycloalkenyl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic and substituted heterocyclic are as definedherein.

“Aminocarbonylamino” refers to the group —NRC(O)NR′R″ where is hydrogenor alkyl and R′ and R″ are independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substitutedalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl,heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substitutedheterocyclic and where R′ and R″ are optionally joined together with thenitrogen bound thereto to form a heterocyclic or substitutedheterocyclic group, and wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl,substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic andsubstituted heterocyclic are as defined herein.

“Aminothiocarbonylamino” refers to the group —NRC(S)NR′R″ where R ishydrogen or alkyl and R′ and R″ are independently selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl,substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substitutedaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substitutedcycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic, andsubstituted heterocyclic and where R′ and R″ are optionally joinedtogether with the nitrogen bound thereto to form a heterocyclic orsubstituted heterocyclic group, and wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl,alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic andsubstituted heterocyclic are as defined herein.

“Aminocarbonyloxy” refers to the group —O—C(O)NR′R″ where R′ and R″ areindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substituted heterocyclic and where R′ andR″ are optionally joined together with the nitrogen bound thereto toform a heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic group, and whereinalkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl,substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic and substituted heterocyclic are asdefined herein.

“Aminosulfonyl” refers to the group —SO₂NR′R″ where R′ and R″ areindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substituted heterocyclic and where R′ andR″ are optionally joined together with the nitrogen bound thereto toform a heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic group, and whereinalkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl,substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic and substituted heterocyclic are asdefined herein.

“Aminosulfonyloxy” refers to the group —O—SO₂NR′R″ where R′ and R″ areindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substituted heterocyclic and where R′ andR″ are optionally joined together with the nitrogen bound thereto toform a heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic group, and whereinalkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl,substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic and substituted heterocyclic are asdefined herein.

“Aminosulfonylamino” refers to the group —NR—SO₂NR′R″ where R ishydrogen or alkyl and R′ and R″ are independently selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl,substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substitutedaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substitutedcycloalkyenyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic, andsubstituted heterocyclic and where R′ and R″ are optionally joinedtogether with the nitrogen bound thereto to form a heterocyclic orsubstituted heterocyclic group, and wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl,alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkyenyl, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic andsubstituted heterocyclic are as defined herein.

“Amidino” refers to the group —C(═NR″)R′R″ where R′, R″, and R′″ areindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substituted heterocyclic and where R′ andR″ are optionally joined together with the nitrogen bound thereto toform a heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic group, and whereinalkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl,substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic and substituted heterocyclic are asdefined herein.

“Aryl” or “Ar” refers to a monovalent aromatic carbocyclic group of from6 to 14 carbon atoms having a single ring (e.g., phenyl) or multiplecondensed rings (e.g., naphthyl or anthryl) which condensed rings may ormay not be aromatic (e.g., 2-benzoxazolinone,2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one-7-yl, and the like) provided that the pointof attachment is at an aromatic carbon atom. Preferred aryl groupsinclude phenyl and naphthyl.

“Substituted aryl” refers to and groups which are substituted with 1 to5, preferably 1 to 3, or more preferably 1 to 2 substituents selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl,substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, alkoxy, substitutedalkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino,aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, aryl, substituted aryl,aryloxy, substituted aryloxy, arylthio, substituted arylthio, carboxyl,carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano,cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, substitutedcycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylthio, substituted cycloalkylthio, cycloalkenyl,substituted cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenyloxy, substituted cycloalkenyloxy,cycloalkenylthio, substituted cycloalkenylthio, guanidino, substitutedguanidino, halo, hydroxy, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl,heteroaryloxy, substituted heteroaryloxy, heteroarylthio, substitutedheteroarylthio, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, heterocyclyloxy,substituted heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylthio, substitutedheterocyclylthio, nitro, SO₃H, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy,thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, and substituted alkylthio, wherein saidsubstituents are defined herein.

“Aryloxy” refers to the group —O-aryl, where aryl is as defined herein,that includes, by way of example, phenoxy and naphthoxy.

“Substituted aryloxy” refers to the group —O-(substituted aryl) wheresubstituted aryl is as defined herein.

“Arylthio” refers to the group —S-aryl, where aryl is as defined herein.

“Substituted arylthio” refers to the group —S-(substituted aryl), wheresubstituted aryl is as defined herein.

“Alkenyl” refers to alkenyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms andpreferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms and having at least 1 and preferably from1 to 2 sites of alkenyl unsaturation. Such groups are exemplified, forexample, by vinyl, allyl, and but-3-en-1-yl.

“Substituted alkenyl” refers to alkenyl groups having from 1 to 3substituents, and preferably 1 to 2 substituents, selected from thegroup consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino,acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, aryl,substituted aryloxy, substituted aryloxy, arylthio, substitutedarylthio, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxylester)oxy, cyano, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy,substituted cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylthio, substituted cycloalkylthio,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenyloxy, substitutedcycloalkenyloxy, cycloalkenylthio, substituted cycloalkenylthio,guanidino, substituted guanidino, halo, hydroxy, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, substituted heteroaryloxy, heteroarylthio,substituted heteroarylthio, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic,heterocyclyloxy, substituted heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylthio,substituted heterocyclylthio, nitro. SO₃H, substituted sulfonyl,sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, and substituted alkylthio,wherein said substituents are defined herein and with the proviso thatany hydroxy substitution is not attached to a vinyl (unsaturated) carbonatom.

“Alkynyl” refers to alkynyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms andpreferably 2 to 3 carbon atoms and having at least 1 and preferably from1 to 2 sites of alkynyl unsaturation.

“Substituted alkynyl” refers to alkynyl groups having from 1 to 3substituents, and preferably 1 to 2 substituents, selected from thegroup consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino,acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, aryl,substituted aryl, aryloxy, substituted aryloxy, arylthio, substitutedarylthio, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxylester)oxy, cyano, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy,substituted cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylthio, substituted cycloalkylthio,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenyloxy, substitutedcycloalkenyloxy, cycloalkenylthio, substituted cycloalkenylthio,guanidino, substituted guanidino, halo, hydroxy, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, substituted heteroaryloxy, heteroarylthio,substituted heteroarylthio, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic,heterocyclyloxy, substituted heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylthio,substituted heterocyclylthio, nitro. SO₃H, substituted sulfonyl,sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, and substituted alkylthio,wherein said substituents are defined herein and with the proviso thatany hydroxy substitution is not attached to an acetylenic carbon atom.

“Carbonyl” refers to the divalent group —C(O)— which is equivalent to—C(═O)—.

“Carboxy” or “carboxy” refers to —COOH or salts thereof.

“Carboxyl ester” or “carboxy ester” refers to the groups —C(O)O-alkyl,—C(O)O-substituted alkyl, —C(O)O-alkenyl, —C(O)O-substituted alkenyl,—C(O)O-alkynyl, —C(O)O-substituted alkynyl, —C(O)O-aryl,—C(O)O-substituted aryl, —C(O)O-cycloalkyl, —C(O)O-substitutedcycloalkyl, —C(O)O-cycloalkenyl, —C(O)O-substituted cycloalkenyl,—C(O)O-heteroaryl, —C(O)O-substituted heteroaryl, —C(O)O-heterocyclic,and —C(O)O-substituted heterocyclic wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl,alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic, andsubstituted heterocyclic are as defined herein.

“(Carboxyl ester)amino” refers to the group —NR—C(O)O-alkyl, substituted—NR—C(O)O-alkyl, —NR—C(O)O-alkenyl, —NR—C(O)O-substituted alkenyl,—NR—C(O)O-alkynyl, —NR—C(O)O-substituted alkynyl, —NR—C(O)O-aryl,—NR—C(O)O-substituted aryl, —NR—C(O)O-cycloalkyl, —NR—C(O)O-substitutedcycloalkyl, —NR—C(O)O-cycloalkenyl, —NR—C(O)O-substituted cycloalkenyl,—NR—C(O)O-heteroaryl, —NR—C(O)O-substituted heteroaryl,—NR—C(O)O-heterocyclic, and —NR—C(O)O-substituted heterocyclic wherein Ris alkyl or hydrogen, and wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl,substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl,substituted anti, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic, andsubstituted heterocyclic are as defined herein.

“(Carboxyl ester)oxy” refers to the group —O—C(O)O-alkyl, substituted—O—C(O)O-alkyl, —O—C(O)O-alkenyl, —O—C(O)O-substituted alkenyl,—O—C(O)O-alkynyl, —O—C(O)O-substituted alkynyl, —O—C(O)O-aryl,—O—C(O)O-substituted aryl, —O—C(O)O-cycloalkyl, —O—C(O)O-substitutedcycloalkyl, —O—C(O)O-cycloalkenyl, —O—C(O)O-substituted cycloalkenyl,—O—C(O)O-heteroaryl, —O—C(O)O-substituted heteroaryl,—O—C(O)O-heterocyclic, and —O—C(O)O-substituted heterocyclic whereinalkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl,substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substituted heterocyclic areas defined herein.

“Cyano” refers to the group —CN.

“Cycloalkyl” refers to cyclic alkyl groups of from 3 to 10 carbon atomshaving single or multiple cyclic rings including fused, bridged, andspiro ring systems. Examples of suitable cycloalkyl groups include, forinstance, adamantyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, andcyclooctyl.

“Cycloalkenyl” refers to non-aromatic cyclic alkyl groups of from 3 to10 carbon atoms having single or multiple cyclic rings and having atleast one >C═C< ring unsaturation and preferably from 1 to 2 sitesof >C═C< ring unsaturation.

“Substituted cycloalkyl” and “substituted cycloalkenyl” refers to acycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group having from 1 to 5 or preferably 1 to 3substituents selected from the group consisting of oxo, thione, alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino,substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, aryl, substituted aryl,aryloxy. Substituted aryloxy, arylthio. Substituted arylthio, carboxyl,carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano,cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, substitutedcycloalkyloxy, cycloalkylthio, substituted cycloalkylthio, cycloalkenyl,substituted cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenyloxy, substituted cycloalkenyloxy,cycloalkenylthio, substituted cycloalkenylthio, guanidino, substitutedguanidino, halo, hydroxy, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl,heteroaryloxy, substituted heteroaryloxy, heteroarylthio, substitutedheteroarylthio, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, heterocyclyloxy,substituted heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylthio, substitutedheterocyclylthio, nitro, SO₃H, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy,thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, and substituted alkylthio, wherein saidsubstituents are defined herein.

“Cycloalkyloxy” refers to —O-cycloalkyl.

“Substituted cycloalkyloxy refers to —O-(substituted cycloalkyl).

“Cycloalkylthio” refers to —S-cycloalkyl,

“Substituted cycloalkylthio” refers to —S-(substituted cycloalkyl).

“Cycloalkenyloxy” refers to —O-cycloalkenyl.

“Substituted cycloalkenyloxy refers to —O-(substituted cycloalkenyl).

“Cycloalkenylthio” refers to —S-cycloalkenyl.

“Substituted cycloalkenyithio” refers to —S-(substituted cycloalkenyl).

“Guanidino” refers to the group —NHC(═NH)NH₂.

“Substituted guanidino” refers to —NR¹³C(═NR¹³)N(R¹³)₂ where each R¹³ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl,substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, and substituted heterocyclic and two R¹³groups attached to a common guanidino nitrogen atom are optionallyjoined together with the nitrogen bound thereto to form a heterocyclicor substituted heterocyclic group, provided that at least one R¹³ is nothydrogen, and wherein said substituents are as defined herein.

“H” indicates hydrogen.

“Halo” or “halogen” refers to fluoro chloro, bromo and iodo.

“Hydroxy” or “hydroxyl” refers to the group —OH.

“Heteroaryl” refers to an aromatic group of from 1 to 10 carbon atomsand 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen,nitrogen and sulfur within the ring. Such heteroaryl groups can have asingle ring (e.g., pyridinyl furyl) or multiple condensed rings (e.g.,indolizinyl or benzothienyl) wherein the condensed rings may or may notbe aromatic and/or contain a heteroatom provided that the point ofattachment is through an atom of the aromatic heteroaryl group. In oneembodiment, the nitrogen and/or the sulfur ring atom(s) of theheteroaryl group are optionally oxidized to provide for the N-oxide(N→O), sulfinyl, or sulfonyl moieties. Preferred heteroaryls includepyridinyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, thiophenyl, and furanyl.

“Substituted heteroaryl” refers to heteroaryl groups that aresubstituted with from 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 3, or more preferably 1 to2 substituents selected from the group consisting of the same group ofsubstituents defined for substituted aryl.

“Heteroaryloxy” refers to —O-heteroaryl.

“Substituted heteroaryloxy refers to the group —O-(substitutedheteroaryl).

“Heteroarylthio” refers to the group —S-heteroaryl.

“Substituted heteroarylthio” refers to the group —S-(substitutedheteroaryl).

“Heterocycle” or “heterocyclic” or “heterocycloalkyl” or “heterocyclyl”refers to a saturated or unsaturated group having a single ring ormultiple condensed rings, including fused bridged and spiro ringsystems, from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and from 1 to 4 hetero atoms selectedfrom the group consisting of nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen within the ringwherein, in fused ring systems, one or more the rings can be cycloalkyl,aryl or heteroaryl provided that the point of attachment is through thenon-aromatic ring. In one embodiment, the nitrogen and/or sulfur atom(s)of the heterocyclic group are optionally oxidized to provide for theN-oxide, sulfinyl, sulfonyl moieties.

“Substituted heterocyclic” or “substituted heterocycloalkyl” or“substituted heterocyclyl” refers to heterocyclyl groups that aresubstituted with from 1 to 5 or preferably 1 to 3 of the samesubstituents as defined for substituted cycloalkyl.

“Heterocyclyloxy” refers to the group —O-heterocycyl.

“Substituted heterocyclyloxy refers to the group —-O-(substitutedheterocycyl).

“Heterocyclylthio” refers to the group —S-heterocycyl.

“Substituted heterocyclylthio” refers to the group —S-(substitutedheterocycyl).

Examples of heterocycle and heteroaryls include, but are not limited to,azetidine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine,pyridazine, indolizine, isoindole, indole, dihydroindole, indazole,purine, quinolizine, isoquinoline, quinoline, phthalazine,naphthylpyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, pteridine,carbazole, carboline, phenanthridine, acridine, phenanthroline,isothiazole, phenazine, isoxazole, phenoxazine, phenothiazine,imidazolidine, imidazoline, piperidine, piperazine, indoline,phthalimide, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline,4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzob]thiophene, thiazole, thiazolidine, thiophene,benzo[b]thiophene, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl (also referred to asthiamorpholinyl), 1,1-dioxothiomorpholinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidine,and tetrahydrofuranyl.

“Hydrazinyl” refers to the group —NHNH₂—, ═NNH—, or ═N⁽⁺⁾NNH₂—.

“Substituted hydrazinyl” refers to a hydrazinyl group, wherein anon-hydrogen atom, such as an alkyl group, is appended to one or both ofthe hydrazinyl amine groups. An example of substituted hydrazinyl is—N(alkyl)-NH₂ or ═N⁺(alkyl)-NH₂.

“Nitro” refers to the group —NO₂.

“Oxo” refers to the atom (═O) or (—O⁻).

“Spirocyclyl” refers to divalent saturated cyclic group from 3 to 10carbon atoms having a cycloalkyl heterocyclyl ring with a spiro union(the union formed by a single atom which is the only common member ofthe rings) as exemplified by the following structure:

“Sulfonyl” refers to the divalent group —S(O)₂—.

“Substituted sulfonyl” refers to the group —SO₂-alkyl, —SO₂-substitutedalkyl, —SO₂-alkenyl, —SO₂-substituted alkenyl, —SO₂-cycloalkyl,—SO₂-substituted cycloalkyl, —SO₂—cycloalkenyl, —SO₂-substitutedcylcoalkenyl, —SO₂-aryl, —SO₂-substituted aryl, —SO₂-heteroaryl,—SO₂-substituted heteroaryl, —SO₂-heterocyclic, —SO₂-substitutedheterocyclic, wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substitutedalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substitutedcycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, substitutedaryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic and substitutedheterocyclic are as defined herein. Substituted sulfonyl includes groupssuch as methyl-SO₂—, phenyl-SO₂—, and 4-methylphenyl-SO₂—.

“Sulfonyloxy” refers to the group —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl,—OSO₂-alkenyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkenyl, —OSO₂-cycloalkyl,—OSO₂-substituted cycloalkyl, —OSO₂-cycloalkenyl, —OSO₂-substitutedcylcoalkenyl, —OSO₂-aryl, —OSO₂-substituted aryl, —OSO₂-heteroaryl,—OSO₂-substituted heteroaryl, —OSO₂-heterocyclic, —OSO₂-substitutedheterocyclic, wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substitutedalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl, substitutedcycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, substitutedaryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic and substitutedheterocyclic are as defined herein.

“Thioacyl” refers to the groups H—C(S)—, alkyl-C(S)—, substitutedalkyl-C(S)—, alkenyl-C(S)—, substituted alkenyl-C(S)—, alkynyl-C(S)—,substituted alkynyl-C(S)—, cycloalkyl-C(S)—, substitutedcycloalkyl-C(S)—, cycloalkenyl-C(S)—, substituted cycloalkenyl-C(S)—,aryl-C(S)—, substituted aryl-C(S)—, heteroaryl-C(S)—, substitutedheteroaryl-C(S)—, heterocyclic-C(S)—, and substitutedheterocyclic-C(S)—, wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl,substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic andsubstituted heterocyclic are as defined herein.

“Thiol” refers to the group —SH.

“Thiocarbonyl” refers to the divalent group —C(S)— which is equivalentto —C(═S)—.

“Thione” refers to the atom (═S).

“Alkylthio” refers to the group —S-alkyl wherein alkyl is as definedherein.

“Substituted alkylthio” refers to the group —S-(substituted alkyl)wherein substituted alkyl is as defined herein.

A dashed line projecting from a substituent, such as:

indicates the point of attachment to the base molecule. For a fusedring, dashed lines indicate portions of the base molecule where thefused ring is attached, such as:

wherein the full molecule could have the structure:

“Stereoisomer” or “stereoisomers” refer to compounds that differ in thechirality of one or more stereocenters. Stereoisomers includeenantiomers and diastereomers.

“Tautomer” refers to alternate forms of a compound that differ in theposition of a proton, such as enol-keto and imine-enamine tautomers, orthe tautomeric forms of heteroaryl groups containing a ring atomattached to both a ring —NH— moiety and a ring ═N-moeity such aspyrazoles, imidazoles, benzimidazoles, triazoles, and tetrazoles.

“Patient,” “subject” or “individual” refers to mammals and includeshumans and non-human mammals, such as monkeys, dogs, cats, horses, cows,pigs or rats.

“Salt” refers to acceptable salts of a compound, which salts are derivedfrom a variety of organic and inorganic counter ions well known in theart and include, by way of example only, sodium, potassium, calcium,magnesium, ammonium, and tetraalkylammonium; and when the moleculecontains a basic functionality, salts of organic or inorganic acids,such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, tartrate, mesylate, acetate,maleate, and oxalate.

“Treating” or “treatment” of a disease in a patient refers to 1)preventing the disease from occurring in a patient that is predisposedor does not yet display symptoms of the disease; 2) inhibiting thedisease or arresting its development; or 3) ameliorating or causingregression of the disease.

The terms “protein” and “polypeptide” are used herein in a generic senseto include polymers of amino acid residues of any length. The term“peptide” is used herein to refer to polypeptides having less than 250amino acid residues, typically less than 100 amino acid residues. Theterms apply to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acidresidues are an artificial chemical analogue of a correspondingnaturally occurring amino acid, as well as to naturally occurring aminoacid polymers.

The term “reactive group” as used herein refers to a group that iscapable of reacting with another chemical group to form a covalent bond,i.e. is covalently reactive under suitable reaction conditions, andgenerally represents a point of attachment for another substance. Thereactive group is a moiety, such as carboxylic acid or succinimidylester, on the compounds of the present invention that is capable ofchemically reacting with a functional group on a different compound toform a covalent linkage. Reactive groups generally include nucleophiles,electrophiles and photoactivatable groups.

Exemplary reactive groups include, but not limited to, olefins,acetylenes, alcohols, phenols, ethers, oxides, halides, aldehydes,ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amides, cyanates, isocyanates,thiocyanates, isothiocyanates, amines, hydrazines, hydrazones,hydrazides, diazo, diazonium, nitro, nitriles, mercaptans, sulfides,disulfides, sulfoxides, sulfones, sulfonic acids, sulfinic acids,acetals, ketals, anhydrides, sulfates, sulfenic acids isonitriles,amidines, imides, imidates, nitrones, hydroxylamines, oximes, hydroxamicacids thiohydroxamic acids, allenes, ortho esters, sulfites, enamines,ynamines, ureas, pseudoureas, semicarbazides, carbodiimides, carbamates,imines, azides, azo compounds, azoxy compounds, and nitroso compounds.Reactive functional groups also include those used to preparebioconjugates, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, maleimides and the like.Methods to prepare each of these functional groups are well known in theart and their application to or modification for a particular purpose iswithin the ability of one of skill in the art (see, for example, Sandlerand Karo, eds. Organic Functional Group Preparations, Academic Press,San Diego, 1989).

The term “detectable response” as used herein refers to an occurrence ofor a change in, a signal that is directly or indirectly detectableeither by observation or by instrumentation. Typically, the detectableresponse is an optical response resulting in a change in the wavelengthdistribution patterns or intensity of absorbance or fluorescence or achange in light scatter, fluorescence lifetime, fluorescencepolarization, or a combination of the above parameters.

The term “dye” as used herein refers to a compound that emits light toproduce an observable detectable signal.

The term “fluorophore” or “fluorogenic” as used herein refers to acomposition that demonstrates a change in fluorescence upon binding to abiological compound or analyte interest. Preferred fluorophores of thepresent invention include fluorescent dyes having a high quantum yieldin aqueous media. Exemplary fluorophores include xanthene, indole,borapolyazaindacene, furan, and benzofuran, among others. Thefluorophores of the present invention may be substituted to alter thesolubility, spectral properties or physical properties of thefluorophore.

The term “carrier molecule” as used herein refers to a biological or anon-biological component that is covalently bonded to a compound of thepresent invention. Such components include, but are not limited to, anamino acid, a peptide, a protein, a polysaccharide, a nucleoside, anucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid, a hapten, a psoralen, adrug, a hormone, a lipid, a lipid assembly, a synthetic polymer, apolymeric microparticle, a biological cell, a virus and combinationsthereof, “Covalently bonded” as used herein indicates a direct covalentlinkage or through a number of atoms corresponding to a linker moiety.

The term “Linker” as used herein, refers to a single covalent bond or aseries of stable covalent bonds incorporating 1-20 nonhydrogen atomsselected from the group consisting of C, N, O, S and P that covalentlyattach the fluorogenic or fluorescent compounds to another moiety suchas a chemically reactive group or a biological and non-biologicalcomponent. Exemplary linking members include a moiety that includes—C(O)NH—, —C(O)O—, —NH—, —S—, —O—, and the like. A “cleavable linker” isa linker that has one or more cleavable groups that may be broken by theresult of a reaction or condition. The term “cleavable group” refers toa moiety that allows for release of a portion, e.g., a fluorogenic orfluorescent moiety, of a conjugate from the remainder of the conjugateby cleaving a bond linking the released moiety to the remainder of theconjugate. Such cleavage is either chemical in nature, or enzymaticallymediated. Exemplary enzymatically cleavable groups include natural aminoacids or peptide sequences that end with a natural amino acid.

In addition to enzymatically cleavable groups, it is within the scope ofthe present invention to include one or more sites that are cleaved bythe action of an agent other than an enzyme. Exemplary non-enzymaticcleavage agents include, but are not limited to, acids, bases, light(e.g., nitrobenzyl derivatives, phenacyl groups, benzoin esters), andheat. Many cleaveable groups are known in the art. See, for example,Jung et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta, 761: 152-162 (1983); Joshi et al.,J. Biol. Chem., 265: 14518-14525 (1990); Zarling et al., J. Immunol.,124: 913-920 (1980); Bouizar et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 155: 141-147(1986); Park et al., J. Biol. Chem., 261: 205-210 (1986); Browning etal., J. Immunol., 143: 1859-1867 (1989). Moreover a broad range ofcleavable, bifunctional (both homo- and hetero-bifunctional) spacer armsare commercially available.

An exemplary cleavable group, an ester, is cleavable group that may becleaved by a reagent, e.g. sodium hydroxide, resulting in acarboxylate-containing fragment and a hydroxyl-containing product.

The linker can be used to attach the compound to another component of aconjugate, such as a targeting moiety (e.g., antibody, ligand,non-covalent protein-binding group, etc.), an analyte, a biomolecule, adrug and the like.

Unless indicated otherwise, the nomenclature of substituents that arenot explicitly defined herein are arrived at by naming the terminalportion of the functionality followed by the adjacent functionalitytoward the point of attachment. For example, the substituent“arylalkyloxycabonyl” refers to the group (aryl)-(alkyl)-O—C(O)—.

It is understood that in all substituted groups defined above, polymersarrived at by defining substituents with further substituents tothemselves (e.g., substituted aryl having a substituted aryl group as asubstituent which is itself substituted with a substituted aryl group,which is further substituted by a substituted aryl group etc.) are notintended for inclusion herein. In such cases, the maximum number of suchsubstitutions is three. For example, sera substitutions of substitutedaryl groups with two other substituted aryl groups are limited to-substituted aryl-(substituted aryl)-substituted aryl.

Similarly, it is understood that the above definitions are not intendedto include impermissible substitution patterns (e.g., a methylsubstituted with 5 fluoro groups). Such impermissible substitutionpatterns are well known to the skilled artisan.

A simple, sensitive reagent for the selective detection ofaldehydes/ketones is a useful tool for high-throughput screening systemsin chemistry and biology. In particular, aldehydes have been widelyknown as among the key end products from a degradation of a variety ofbiological molecules, e.g. lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates,proteins, induced by oxidative stress.

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a major lipid peroxidation product. The presentinvention involves reaction of non-fluorescent (or virtuallynon-fluorescent) fluorophore-hydrazines with MDA under mild conditionssuch that a fluorescent pyrazole is formed. Thus a fluorogenic assay forlipid peroxidation is presented that allows for a large wavelength rangeto be utilized.

Lipid peroxidation is a major indicator of oxidative stress. Researchersneed to measure lipid peroxidation in many types of samples includingdrugs, food products, and human and biological tissue. The extent oflipid peroxidation provides important information regarding free radicalactivity in disease states, and it also provides a measure ofantioxidant activity of potential therapeutic compounds. Malondialdehyde(MDA) is a key lipid peroxidation product. The most commonly used assayof lipid peroxidation involves the reaction of MDA with 2 equivalents ofthiobarbituric acid, aka the OXI-TEK TBARS Assay Kit. The resultingoxonol product is detected by absorbance or fluorescence (e.g. JaneroD., “Malondialdehyde and thiobarbituric acid reactivity as diagnosticindices of lipid peroxidation and peroxidative tissue injury,” FreeRadical Biology & Medicine, 1998, 9: 515-40). Drawbacks to this methodinclude: 1) samples must be heated in strong acetic acid for 1 hour at95° C.; 2) only a single wavelength set (530 nm excitation/550 nmemission) is produced.

MDA is known to react with aryl hydrazines to form pyrazoles (Ottenederet al, “Reaction of Malondialdehyde-DNA adducts withHydrazines-Development of a Facile Assay for Quantification ofMalondialdehyde Equivalents in DNA,” Chem. Res. Toxicol. 2002, 15:312-8).

The present invention describes a new class of fluorogenic dyes for thedetection and quantitation of aldehyde/ketone functional groups. Thecompounds are capable of reacting with a variety of analytes, such asmalondialdehyde (MDA) as shown below:

Aniline versions of visible wavelngth fluorophores such asfluoresceinamine, 5-amino-tetramethylrhodamine, and 8-aminophenyl-BODIPYare virtually non-fluorescent because of internal charge transfer (ICT).During the fluorophore excited state, the LUMO is filled byintramolecular transfer of electron density from the aniline nitrogenelectron one pair. This filling precludes relaxation to the ground statevia fluorescence. Thus, even though the compounds absorb visible light,they do not fluoresce as they return to the ground state. Thesecompounds can be made fluorescent by conversion into products in whichthe aniline nitrogen electron lone pair becomes unavailable for ICT. Inone embodiment, the present invention involves reaction offluorophore-hydrazine combinations (non-fluorescent because of ICT) withMDA to form fluorescent pyrazole products. The pyrazole products arefluorescent because the electron lone pair on the “first” nitrogen atomof the hydrazine, moiety becomes part of the aromaticity of thepyrazole, i.e. this electron lone pair is no longer available to quenchfluorescence by ICT.

This principle can be applied to a number of other fluorophore hydrazinecombinations, for example:

The aldehyde or ketone functional group is typically naturally presenton the analyte prior to its conjugation to the reagent of the invention.Alternatively, the aldehyde or ketone functionality is formed on thetarget substance by chemical, light, heat, radiation, or enzymatictreatment prior to reaction with a reagent of the invention. In oneaspect of the invention, the target substance is treated with anoxidizing condition, such as a chemical oxidizing agent (for example aperiodate, a strong acid, or ozone), oxidizing radiation, photolysis, orenzymatic oxidation.

Where they are not present, aldehydes and ketones are also introducedinto molecules using extrinsic reagents that already contain an aldehydeor ketone. For instance, aldehydes are introduced at aliphatic aminesites with the reagents succinimidyl 4-formylbenzoate or succinimidyl4-formylphenoxyacetate (Molecular Probes, Eugene Oreg.). These reagentsselectively modify proteins on the surface of live cells, and therebypermit the analysis of the topology of peptide and protein exposure oncells surfaces following, for instance, lysis and gel electrophoresis.Additionally, galactosides are enzymatically transferred to a targetcarbohydrate using UDP-galactose:N-acetylglucosaminegalactosyltransferase and, following galactose oxidase-catalyzedoxidation to an aldehyde (as described by Shaper et al, J. SUPRAMOL.STRUCTURE 6, 291-299 (1977)), the target carbohydrate can be modified bya reagent of the invention, Glycoproteins such as horseradish peroxidaseare oxidized to aldehydes and their conjugates subsequently used invarious detection schemes according to the instant invention

The oligosaccharide components of cell surface glycoproteins play a rolein the interactions that regulate many important biological processes,from cell-cell adhesion to signal transduction. Sialic acids are themost abundant terminal components of oligosaccharides on mammaliancell-surface glycoproteins and are synthesized from the six-carbonprecursor N-actylmannosamine. When cells in culture are incubated withN-levulinoyl-D-mannosamine, this ketone-containing monosaccharide servesas a substrate in the oligosaccharide synthesis pathway, resulting inketone-tagged cell-surface oligosaccharides (as described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,075,134 to Bertozzi et al, (2000), incorporated by reference). Ifthese tagged cells are than labeled with a reagent of the invention,they are readily identified or traced using either by imaging or flowcytometry.

The conjugated target is typically a peptide, a protein, a nucleoside, anucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid, a sugar, apolysaccharide, a lipid, a lipopolysaccharide, a ganglioside, a drug, ahormone, or a ligand having a molecular weight less than 2,000 Daltons.Preferably, the conjugated target is a protein, a nucleic acid, a lipid,a lipopolysaccharide, a ganglioside, a drug, or a hormone.

The use of the invention to label aldehyde- and ketone-containing targetsubstances comprises combining a reagent of the present invention with asample that contains or is thought to contain a desired target,incubating the mixture of reagent and sample for a time sufficient forthe reagent to form a covalent conjugate with the target substance inthe sample, such that the conjugate exhibits a detectable fluorescentsignal.

The characteristics of the resulting reagent-target conjugate, includingthe presence, location, intensity, excitation and emission spectra,fluorescence polarization, fluorescence lifetime, photobleaching rateand other physical properties of the fluorescent signal can be used todetect, differentiate, sort, quantitate, and/or analyze aspects orportions of the sample. The reagents of the invention are optionallyused in conjunction with one or more additional detection reagents(preferably having detectably different fluorescence characteristics).

Selected Target Substances Containing Aldehydes or Ketones FormaldehydeAcetone Benzaldehydes Reducing sugars and polysaccharides in ring-openedforms Steroids Keto acids Aldehyde- or ketone-containing drugs Aldehyde-or ketone-containing environmental pollutants Aldehyde- orketone-containing organics Acid-treated deoxyribonucleic acids Oxidizedsugars Oxidized polysaccharides Oxidized glycols Oxidized glycoproteinsOxidized glycolipids Oxidized glycosaminoglycans Oxidized ribonucleicacids Oxidized biological cells Oxidized N-terminal serine residues ofproteins Oxidized N-terminal threonine residues of proteins

Typically, when the reagent of the invention is used in the form of astaining solution, preferably an aqueous or aqueous miscible solutionthat is compatible with the sample and the intended use. For biologicalsamples, where minimal perturbation of cell morphology or physiology isdesired, the staining solution is selected accordingly. For solutionassays, the staining solution preferably does not perturb the nativeconformation of the target substance.

Although typically used in an aqueous or aqueous miscible solution, thestaining solution is typically prepared by first dissolving the reagentin a water-miscible organic solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO),dimethylformamide (DMF), or a lower alcohol, such as methanol orethanol. This stock solution is typically prepared at a concentration ofgreater than about 50-times that used in the final staining solution,then diluted one or more times with an aqueous solvent or a buffersolution such that the reagent is present in an effective amount.Typically, the reagent is first dissolved in 100% DMF, and then dilutedwith buffer. The staining solution optionally further comprisesadditional formulation components, such as acids, buffering agents,inorganic salts, polar organic solvents, antioxidants, and ionchelators.

The pH of the staining solution is optionally modified by the inclusionof a buffering agent. Any buffering agent that is compatible with thetarget substance in the sample is suitable for inclusion in the stainingsolution. In a preferred embodiment the buffer is PBS. In anotherembodiment, the buffering agent is one of the so-called “Good's”buffers. “Good's” buffers include BES(N,N-bis[2-hydroxyethyl]-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid;2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanesulfonic acid), BICINE(N,N-bis[2-hydroxyethyl]glycine), CAPS(3-[cyclohexylamino]-1-propanesulfonic acid), EPPS(N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N′-[3-propanesulfonic acid]), HEPES((N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N′-[2-ethanesulfonic acid]), MES(2-[N-morpholino]ethanesulfonic acid), MOPS(3-[N-morpholino]propanesulfonic acid), PIPES(piperazine-N,N′-bis[2-ethanesulfonic acid];1,4-piperazinediethanesulfonic acid),TAPS(N-tris[hydroxymethyl]methyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid;([2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]amino-1-propanesulfonic acid),TES (N-tris[hydroxymethyl]methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid;2-([2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]amino)ethanesulfonic acid), orTRICINE (N-tris [hydroxymethyl]methylglycine;N-[2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]glycine).

Other preferred buffering agents include salts of formate, citrate,acetate, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N′-(2-sulfoethyl)piperazine, imidazole,N-(2-hydroxyethylpiperazine)-N′-2-ethanesulfonic acid,Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane acetate, orTris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride. In a preferredembodiment, the buffering agent is MES, sodium acetate, or acetic acid,preferably acetic acid. The buffering agent or mixture of bufferingagents is typically present in the staining solution at a concentrationof 20 mM to 500 mM, preferably about 25 mM to about 100 mM. Where thebuffering agent is acetic acid, it is preferably present in aconcentration of about 1%-6%, more preferably at about 3%.

In a particularly advantageous formulation of the staining solution, thestaining solution additionally comprises an inorganic salt. Advantageousinorganic salts produce staining formulations that exhibit lowbackground signals when staining glycoproteins in electrophoretic gels.Particularly useful and inexpensive salts include sodium chloride,ammonium sulfate, magnesium chloride, magnesium acetate, zinc chloride,magnesium sulfate and magnesium glucuronate present in the stainingsolution at a concentration of 1-50%. In a preferred embodiment, theinorganic salt is sodium chloride or magnesium chloride, more preferablymagnesium chloride.

An effective amount of reagent is the amount of reagent sufficient togive a detectable fluorescence response in combination with the desiredtarget. The reagent concentration in the solution must be sufficientboth to contact the target in the sample and to combine with the targetin an amount sufficient to give a signal, but too much reagent may causeproblems with background fluorescence or speckling in gels. The optimalconcentration and composition of the staining solution is determined bythe nature of the sample (including physical, biological, biochemicaland physiological properties), the nature of the reagent-targetinteraction (including the transport rate of the reagent to the site ofthe target), and the nature of the analysis being performed, and can bedetermined using standard procedures, similar to those described inexamples below.

In another embodiment of the invention, the target substance contains acarboxylic acid or sulfonic acid functional group, therefore thefunctional group must first be activated before combining with astaining solution containing a reagent of the invention, depending uponthe properties of the target substance. Typically carbodiimides, such asEDAC, or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) are used to activate carboxylicacids, whereas sulfonic acids most often require formation of theirsulfonyl chloride by standard means. The reagent adducts of carboxylicacids and sulfonic acids are typically used to characterize the targetsubstance, or the conjugates are used as fluorescent tracers. Carboxylicacid and sulfonic acids do not form stable adducts when stained in gelsor solutions, thus differentiating them from aldehydes and ketones.

Particular Aspects of the Invention:

One aspect of the invention provides a compound of Formula I:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   R¹ and R^(1a) are independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl and substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently        selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,        amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro. SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, hydrazinyl, substituted        hydrazinyl, analyte substituted hydrazinyl, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aminocarbonyl,        aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino,        aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy,        aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl        ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro.        SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl,        thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl,        heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted        cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; or    -   R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, or R², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to        form a fused heterocyclyl group, a fused substituted        heterocyclyl group, a fused aryl group, a fused substituted aryl        group, a fused heteroaryl group or a fused substituted        heteroaryl group.

In another embodiment, R¹ is H. Alternatively, R¹ is alkyl orsubstituted alkyl. In a preferred embodiment R^(1a) is H. It is notedthat R^(1a) is not a carbonyl group since the resultant amide would notbe nucleophilic nor functional as a aldehyde/ketone reactive moiety. Inanother embodiment, R³ hydrazinyl or substituted hydrazinyl. In anotherembodiment, R³ is methoxy, in another embodiment, R³ is hydroxy, inanother embodiment, R³ is amino.

In another embodiment of the invention, R², R³ and R⁴ are taken togetherto form a fused heterocyclyl group or substituted fused heterocyclylgroup of the formula:

and

-   -   R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino,        aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,        aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,        aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,        carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy,        cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted        sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted        alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted        heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,        and substituted heterocyclyl.

In another embodiment, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R¹⁰ are all H. In anotherembodiment, R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R¹⁰ are all H. In anotherembodiment. R⁹ is —SO₃ ⁻. In another embodiment, R⁹ is —CO₂ ⁻. Inanother embodiment, X is H. In another embodiment, R³ is methoxy and R⁹is —CO₂ ⁻.

In another embodiment of the invention. X is an analyte. In anotherembodiment, the analyte is bound through an imine. In anotherembodiment, the analyte is selected from the group consisting of anamino acid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, a polysaccharide, anucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, adrug, a lipid, and a synthetic polymer. In another embodiment, theanalyte comprises a carbonyl group. In another embodiment, the analytecomprises an aldehyde group. In another embodiment, R³ is analytesubstituted hydrazinyl. In another embodiment, the analyte is boundthrough an imine. In another embodiment the analyte is malondialdehyde.In another embodiment the analyte is 4-hydroxynonenal.

Another particular aspect of the invention provides a salt of thecompound.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of Formula II:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   Y is H or an analyte;    -   L is —NH— or a covalent bond;    -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl and        substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently        selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,        amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro. SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl,        cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl.

In another more particular embodiment, R⁹ is SO₃ ⁻. In anotherembodiment, R⁹ is CO₂ ⁻. In another embodiment, R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸and R¹⁰ are H. In another embodiment. R¹ and R¹¹ are H. In anotherembodiment, R¹ is alkyl or substituted alkyl and R¹¹ is alkyl orsubstituted alkyl. In another embodiment thereof. R¹ and R¹¹ are—(CH₂)₃SO₃ ⁻. In another embodiment, X and Y are H. In anotherembodiment, X is an analyte and Y is an analyte. In another embodiment,L is —NH—. In another embodiment, L is a covalent bond.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of Formula III:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl and        substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected        from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl,        alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino,        substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl,        cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl.

In a more particular embodiment thereof, R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R¹⁰are hydrogen. More particularly, R¹ and R¹¹ are H. In anotherembodiment, R¹ is alkyl or substituted alkyl and R¹¹ is alkyl orsubstituted alkyl. In another embodiment, R¹ and R¹¹ are both —(CH₂)₃SO₃⁻.

In another embodiment the SO₃ ⁻ group in formula III is a CO₂ ⁻.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound selected from thegroup consisting of:

Another embodiment of the invention provides a compound selected fromthe group consisting of:

Another embodiment thereof provides a salt or tautomer thereof.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of Formula V:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   Z¹ a fluorophore and Z² is R⁸; or    -   Z¹ is R⁸ and Z² is a fluorophore;    -   R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino,        aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,        aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,        aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,        carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy,        cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro. SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted        sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted        alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted        heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,        and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl,        cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl; or    -   X and R¹⁴ are taken together to form a fused heterocyclyl group,        substituted fused heterocyclyl group, fused heteroaryl group, or        substituted fused heteroaryl group.

In another embodiment, one of Z¹ or Z² is selected from the groupconsisting of a xanthene, indole and a borapolyazaindacine.

In a more particular embodiment, Z¹ or Z² is:

-   -   wherein,    -   R², R⁴ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino,        aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,        aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,        aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,        carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy,        cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro. SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted        sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted        alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted        heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,        and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, hydrazinyl, substituted        hydrazinyl, analyte substituted hydrazinyl, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aminocarbonyl,        aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino,        aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy,        aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl        ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro.        SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl,        thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl,        heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted        cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; or    -   R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, or R², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to        form a fused heterocyclyl group, a fused substituted        heterocyclyl group, a fused aryl group, a fused substituted aryl        group, a fused heteroaryl group or a fused substituted        heteroaryl group;    -   R¹⁵ is selected from the group consisting of ═O and ═⁽⁺⁾NR¹⁶R¹⁷;        and    -   R¹⁶ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl,        substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl,        heteroaryl, and substituted heteroaryl; and    -   R¹⁷ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted        alkyl, amino, and substituted amino.

In a more particular embodiment, R¹⁵ is ═O. In another embodiment, R¹⁵is ═⁽⁺⁾NR¹⁶R¹⁷. In another embodiment, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ are methyl. Inanother embodiment, R², R⁴ and R¹⁰ are H. In another embodiment, R³ isamino or substituted amino. In another embodiment, R³ is hydroxy. Inanother embodiment, R³ is —N(CH₃)₂.

In another embodiment, R², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to form a fusedheterocyclyl group or substituted fused heterocyclyl group of thefollowing structure:

-   -   wherein, R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from the        group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy,        substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted        amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,        aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,        aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,        carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy,        cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted        sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted        alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted        heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,        and substituted heterocyclyl.

In a more particular embodiment, Z¹ or Z² is:

-   -   R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, R²², R²³ are each independently selected        from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl,        alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino,        substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, —SO₃H, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl.

In another embodiment, R¹⁹ and R²² are H. In another embodiment, R¹⁸,R²⁰, R²¹ and R²³ are methyl. In another embodiment, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹R²² and R²³ are H.

In a more particular embodiment, Z¹ or Z² is:

-   -   R²⁴ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷, R²⁸ and R²⁹ are each independently selected from        the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy,        substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted        amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,        aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,        aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,        carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy,        cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, —SO₃H, sulfonyl, substituted        sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted        alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted        heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,        and substituted heterocyclyl.

In another embodiment thereof, R²⁴, R²⁵, R²⁷, R²⁸ and R²⁹ are H. Inanother embodiment, R²⁶ is a carboxyl ester. In another embodiment, R²⁶is —CO₂CH₃. In another embodiment, R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R¹⁴ are all H. Inanother embodiment. R⁹ is —SO₃ ⁻. In another embodiment, R⁹ is —CO₂ ⁻.

In a more particular embodiment, X is H. In another embodiment, X is ananalyte. More particularly still, the analyte is bound through an imine.In another embodiment, the analyte is selected from the group consistingof an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, apolysaccharide, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, anucleic acid polymer, a drug, a lipid, and a synthetic polymer. Inanother embodiment, the analyte comprises a carbonyl group. In anotherembodiment, the analyte comprises an aldehyde group. In anotherembodiment the analyte is malondialdehyde. In another embodiment theanalyte is 4-hydroxynonenal.

In a more particular embodiment X and R¹⁴ are taken together to form afused heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group. More particular still, X and R¹⁴are taken together to form a pyrazole group.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of Formula VI:

-   -   or, a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   G is a 5-6 membered fused aryl or heteroaryl group;    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl and        substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently        selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,        amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, hydrazinyl, substituted        hydrazinyl, analyte substituted hydrazinyl, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aminocarbonyl,        aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino,        aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy,        aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl        ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro.        SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl,        thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl,        heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted        cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; or    -   R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, or R², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to        form a fused heterocyclyl group, a fused substituted        heterocyclyl group, a fused aryl group, a fused substituted aryl        group, a fused heteroaryl group or a fused substituted        heteroaryl group.

In another embodiment, G is a 6-membered aryl group. More particularly,G is phenyl. In a more particular embodiment thereof, the compound hasthe formula VI(a):

-   -   wherein each of the variables are described herein.

In another embodiment thereof, R¹ and R² are taken together to form aphenyl group.

In another embodiment, R¹ is H. Alternatively, R¹ is alkyl orsubstituted alkyl. In another embodiment, R³ hydrazinyl or substitutedhydrazinyl. In another embodiment, R³ is methoxy. In another embodiment,R³ is hydroxy. In another embodiment, R³ is amino.

In another embodiment of the invention, R², R³ and R⁴ are taken togetherto form a fused heterocyclyl group or substituted fused heterocyclylgroup of the formula:

and

-   -   R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino,        aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,        aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,        aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,        carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy,        cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro. SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted        sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted        alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted        heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,        and substituted heterocyclyl.

In another embodiment, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R¹⁰ are all H. In anotherembodiment, R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R¹⁰ are all H. In anotherembodiment, R⁹ is —SO₃ ⁻. In another embodiment, R⁹ is —CO₂ ⁻. Inanother embodiment, X is H. In another embodiment, R³ is methoxy and R⁹is —CO₂ ⁻.

In another embodiment of the invention. X is an analyte. In anotherembodiment, the analyte is bound through an imine. In anotherembodiment, the analyte is selected from the group consisting of anamino acid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, a polysaccharide, anucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, adrug, a lipid, and a synthetic polymer. In another embodiment, theanalyte comprises a carbonyl group. In another embodiment, the analytecomprises an aldehyde group. In another embodiment, R³ is analytesubstituted hydrazinyl. In another embodiment, the analyte is boundthrough an imine. In another embodiment the analyte is malondialdehyde.In another embodiment the analyte is 4-hydroxynonenal.

Another aspect of the invention provides a composition comprising:

-   -   (a) an analyte; and    -   (b) a compound as described herein.

Another more particular aspect of the invention provides a compositioncomprising:

-   -   (a) an analyte; and    -   (b) a compound of Formula I:

-   -   or, a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   R¹ and R^(1a) are independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl and substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently        selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,        amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro. SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, hydrazinyl, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aminocarbonyl,        aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino,        aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy,        aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl        ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro,        SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl,        thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl,        heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted        cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; or    -   R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, or R², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to        form a fused heterocyclyl group, a fused substituted        heterocyclyl group, a fused aryl group, a fused substituted aryl        group, a fused heteroaryl group or a fused substituted        heteroaryl group.    -   A more particular embodiment further comprises a buffer        solution. Another embodiment provides an additional dye in        solution. The additional dye may be another aldehyde/ketone        sensitive dye or not. Additional dyes are well known in the art        and include those described in The Handbook, A guide to        Fluorescent Probes and Labeling Technologies, by R. Haugland,        10^(th) Edition.

In another embodiment of the composition, the analyte is selected fromthe group consisting of: an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, acarbohydrate, a polysaccharide, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, anoligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, a hapten, a psoralen, a drug, ahormone, a lipid, a lipid assembly, a synthetic polymer, abiotin-binding protein, a polymeric microparticle, a biological cell anda virus.

A more particular aspect of the composition provides any of the aboveembodiments, particularly those describing R¹-R¹⁰ and X.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for determining thepresence of an analyte of interest in a sample, wherein the methodcomprises:

-   -   contacting the sample with a compound described herein;    -   incubating the sample and the compound for a sufficient amount        of time to form a complex between the compound and analyte;    -   illuminating the complex with an appropriate Wavelength to form        an illuminated complex; and    -   detecting emissions from the illuminated complex.

Another more particular aspect of the invention provides a method fordetermining the presence of an analyte of interest in a sample, whereinthe method comprises;

-   -   contacting the sample with a compound having Formula I:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   R¹ and R^(1a) are independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl and Substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently        selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,        amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl;    -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, hydrazinyl, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aminocarbonyl,        aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino,        aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy,        aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl        ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro,        SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl,        thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl,        heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted        cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; or    -   R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, or R², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to        form a fused heterocyclyl group, a fused substituted        heterocyclyl group, a fused aryl group, a fused substituted aryl        group, a fused heteroaryl group or a fused substituted        heteroaryl group;    -   incubating the sample and the compound for a sufficient amount        of time to form a complex between the compound and analyte;    -   illuminating the complex with an appropriate wavelength to form        an illuminated complex; and    -   detecting emissions from the illuminated complex.

In another embodiment, the analyte and the compound are connected by acovalent bond. In another embodiment, the compound becomes fluorescentafter formation of the complex. In another embodiment, the analyte isbound to the compound through an imine. In another embodiment, theanalyte is selected from the group consisting of: an amino acid, apeptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, a polysaccharide, a nucleoside, anucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, a hapten, apsoralen, a drug, a hormone, a lipid, a lipid assembly, a syntheticpolymer, a biotin-binding protein, a polymeric microparticle, abiological cell and a virus. In another embodiment, the analytecomprises a carbonyl group. In another embodiment, the analyte comprisesan aldehyde group. In another embodiment the analyte is malondialdehyde.In another embodiment the analyte is 4-hydroxynonenal.

In another embodiment, the sample comprises live cells, intracellularfluids, extracellular fluids, biological fluids, biological fermentationmedia, environmental sample, industrial samples, proteins, peptides,buffer solutions biological fluids or chemical reactors. In anotherembodiment, the sample comprises blood cells, immune cells, culturedcells, muscle tissue, neurons, extracellular vesicles; vascular tissue,blood fluids, saliva, urine; water, soil, waste water, sea water;pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs or beverages. In another embodiment, thesample is immobilized on a polymeric membrane, within a polymeric gel,on a microparticle, on a microarray, on a silicon chip, on a glassslide, on a microwell plate, and on a microfluidic chip.

Another aspect of the invention provides a kit for detecting an analytein a sample, wherein the kit comprises:

-   -   a compound as describe herein that binds the analyte; and    -   instructions for detecting the analyte.

Another aspect of the invention provides a kit for detecting an analytein a sample, wherein the kit comprises:

-   -   a compound of Formula I that binds the analyte:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   R¹ and R^(1a) are independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl and substituted alkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently        selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,        amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro. SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl;    -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, amino, substituted amino, hydrazinyl, alkyl, substituted        alkyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, aminocarbonyl,        aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino,        aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy,        aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl        ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro,        SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl,        thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl,        heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted        cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; or    -   R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, or R², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to        form a fused heterocyclyl group, a fused substituted        heterocyclyl group, a fused alyl group, a fused substituted aryl        group, a fused heteroaryl group or a fused substituted        heteroaryl group; and    -   instructions for detecting the analyte.

A more particular embodiment further comprises instructions forcovalently bonding the compound to the analyte. A more particularembodiment further comprising one or more of the following: a bufferingagent, a purification medium, a vial comprising the analyte, or anorganic solvent.

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound comprising a(9-phenyl-3H-xanthen-3-ylidene)hydrazine, wherein the hydrazine group isunsubstituted or substituted with an analyte. In another more particularembodiment thereof, (9-phenyl-3H-xanthen-3-ylidene)hydrazine issubstituted with methoxy, amino, sulfonyl, carboxyl, sulfonylalkyl,alkyl, or a second hydrazinyl group. More particular still, the(9-phenyl-3H-xanthen-3-ylidene)hydrazine is(E)-(9-phenyl-3H-xanthene-6-yl-3-ylidene)bis(hydrazine). In anotherembodiment, the analyte comprises an aldehyde group.

Another aspect of the invention provides a composition comprising:

-   -   (a) an analyte; and    -   (b) a compound of Formula V:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   Z is a fluorophore;    -   R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino,        aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,        aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,        aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,        carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy,        cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted        sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted        alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted        heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,        and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroalyi, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl,        cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl; or    -   X and R¹⁴ are taken together to form a fused heterocyclyl group,        substituted fused heterocyclyl group, fused heteroaryl group, or        substituted fused heteroaryl group.

Another more particular embodiment further comprises a buffer solution.In another embodiment, the analyte is selected from the group consistingof: an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, apolysaccharide, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, anucleic acid polymer, a hapten, a psoralen, a drug, a hormone, a lipid,a lipid assembly, a synthetic polymer, a biotin-binding protein, apolymeric microparticle, a biological cell and a virus.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for determining thepresence of an analyte of interest in a sample, wherein the methodcomprises: contacting the sample with compound of Formula V:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H or an analyte;    -   Z is a fluorophore;    -   R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino,        aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,        aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,        aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,        carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy,        cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted        sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, alkylthio, substituted        alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted        heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,        and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl,        cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl; or    -   X and R¹⁴ are taken together to form a fused heterocyclyl group,        substituted fused heterocyclyl group, fused heteroaryl group, or        substituted fused heteroaryl group;    -   incubating the sample and the compound for a sufficient amount        of time to form a complex between the compound and analyte;    -   illuminating the complex with an appropriate wavelength to form        an illuminated complex; and    -   detecting emissions from the illuminated complex.

In another embodiment, the analyte and the compound are connected by acovalent bond. In another embodiment, the compound becomes fluorescentafter formation of the complex. In another embodiment, the analyte isbound to the compound through an imine. In another embodiment, theanalyte is selected from the group consisting of: an amino acid, apeptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, a polysaccharide, a nucleoside, anucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, a hapten, apsoralen, a drug, a hormone, a lipid, a lipid assembly, a syntheticpolymer, a biotin-binding protein, a polymeric microparticle, abiological cell and a virus, in another embodiment, the analytecomprises a carbonyl group. In another embodiment, the analyte comprisesan aldehyde group. In another embodiment the analyte is malondialdehyde.In another embodiment the analyte is 4-hydroxynonenal.

In another embodiment, the sample comprises live cells, intracellularfluids, extracellular fluids, biological fluids, biological fermentationmedia, environmental sample, industrial samples, proteins, peptides,buffer solutions biological fluids or chemical reactors. In anotherembodiment, the sample comprises blood cells, immune cells, culturedcells, muscle tissue, neurons, extracellular vesicles; vascular tissue,blood fluids, saliva, urine; water, soil, waste water, sea water;pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs or beverages. In another embodiment, thesample is immobilized on a polymeric membrane, within a polymeric gel,on a microparticle, on a microarray, on a silicon chip, on a glassslide, on a microwell plate, and on a microfluidic chip.

Another aspect of the invention provides a kit for detecting an analytein a sample, wherein the kit comprises:

-   -   a compound of Formula V that binds the analyte:

-   -   or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   X is H;    -   Z is a fluorophore;    -   R⁵, R⁶, R⁸ and R⁹ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted        alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino,        aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,        aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,        aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,        carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy,        cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro. SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted        sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted        alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted        heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,        and substituted heterocyclyl; and    -   R¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,        substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl,        cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl; or    -   X and R¹⁴ are taken together to form a fused heterocyclyl group,        substituted fused heterocyclyl group, fused heteroaryl group, or        substituted fused heteroaryl group; and    -   instructions for detecting the analyte.

Another embodiment thereof further comprises instructions for covalentlybonding the compound to the analyte.

Another embodiment thereof further comprises one or more of thefollowing: a buffering agent, a purification medium, a vial comprisingthe analyte, or an organic solvent.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of synthesizing acompound of Formula III, a tautomer thereof, a stereoisomer thereof, ora salt thereof:

-   -   or, a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof;    -   wherein,    -   R¹ and R¹¹ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted        aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclyl,        substituted heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, and substituted        cycloalkyl;    -   R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected        from the group consisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl,        alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino,        substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,        aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,        aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino,        carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl        ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl,        substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio,        substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,        substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,        heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl;    -   the method comprising:    -   contacting a compound of formula IV:

-   -   with R¹—NH—NH—R¹² and R¹¹—NH—NH—R¹², wherein R¹² is a protecting        group, thereby obtaining a compound of Formula III(a):

-   -   contacting R¹² with a deprotecting reagent, thereby obtaining a        compound of Formula III.

In another embodiment the SO₃ ⁻ group in formula III is a CO₂ ⁻ and theSO₂ group is a CO.

In another embodiment, the protecting group is Boc. In anotherembodiment, the deprotecting reagent comprises an acid. In anotherembodiment, the acid is trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

Another embodiment further comprises a purifying step after obtainingthe compound of Formula III(a). Another embodiment further comprises apurifying step after obtaining the compound of Formula III. In anotherembodiment, the purifying step comprises at least one of: columnchromatography, trituration, recrystallization, filtration, or aqueousseparation.

Another embodiment further comprises synthesizing a compound of FormulaIV, comprising:

-   -   (c) contacting a compound of Formula IV(a):

-   -   with a chlorinating agent, thereby obtaining the compound of        Formula IV.

In another embodiment, the chlorinating agent comprises PCl₅ or POCl₃.

-   -   Another embodiment further comprises a purifying step after        obtaining the compound of Formula IV. In another embodiment, the        purifying step comprises at least one of: column chromatography,        trituration, recrystallization, filtration, or aqueous        separation.

One particular synthetic example is provided in Scheme 1:

Various ancillary materials will frequently be employed in an assay inaccordance with the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment,buffers and/or stabilizers are present in the kit components. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the kits comprise indicator solutions or indicator“dipsticks”, blotters, culture media, cuvettes, and the like. In yetanother exemplary embodiment, the kits comprise indicator cartridges(where a kit component is bound to a solid support) for use in anautomated detector. In another exemplary embodiment, the kit furthercomprises molecular weight markers, wherein said markers are selectedfrom phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated polypeptides, calcium-bindingand non-calcium binding polypeptides, sulfonated and non-sulfonatedpolypeptides, and sialylated and non-sialylated polypeptides. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the kit further comprises a member selected from afixing solution, a detection reagent, a standard, a wash solution, andcombinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the compounds of the invention comprise areactive group which is a member selected from an acrylamide, anactivated ester of a carboxylic acid, an acyl azide, an acyl nitrile, analdehyde, an alkyl halide, an anhydride, an aniline, an aryl halide, anazide, an aziridine, a boronate, a carboxylic acid, a diazoalkane, ahaloacetamide, a halotriazine, a hydrazine, a hydrazide, an imido ester,an isocyanate, an isothiocyanate, a maleimide, a phosphoramidite, areactive platinum complex, a sulfonyl halide, a thiol group, and aphotoactivatable group.

These reactive groups can be covalently attached either during or afterthe synthesis of the dyes in order to provide reactivegroup-containing-dyes. In this way, reactive group-containing-dyes canbe covalently attached to a wide variety of carrier molecules or solidsupports that contain or are modified to contain functional groups withsuitable reactivity, resulting in chemical attachment of the components.In an exemplary embodiment, the reactive group of a compound of theinvention and the functional group of the carrier molecule of solidsupport comprise electrophiles and nucleophiles that can generate acovalent linkage between them. Alternatively, the reactive groupcomprises a photoactivatable group, which becomes chemically reactiveonly after illumination with light of an appropriate wavelength.Typically, the conjugation reaction between the reactive group and theearner molecule/solid support results in one or more atoms of thereactive group being incorporated into a new linkage attaching the dyeto the carrier molecule/solid support. Selected examples of functionalgroups and linkages are shown in Table 1, where the reaction of anelectrophilic group and a nucleophilic group yields a covalent linkage.

TABLE 1 Examples of some routes to useful covalent linkages withelectrophile and nucleophile reactive groups Electrophilic GroupNucleophilic Group Resulting Covalent Linkage activated esters*amines/anilines Carboxamides acyl azides** amines/anilines Carboxamidesacyl halides amines/anilines Carboxamides acyl halides alcohols/phenolsEsters acyl nitriles alcohols/phenols Esters acyl nitrilesamines/anilines Carboxamides Aldehydes amines/anilines Imines aldehydesor ketones hydrazines Hydrazones aldehydes or ketones hydroxylaminesOximes alkyl halides amines/anilines alkyl amines alkyl halidesCarboxylic acids Esters alkyl halides Thiols Thioethers alkyl halidesalcohols/phenols Ethers alkyl sulfonates Thiols Thioethers alkylsulfonates Carboxylic acids Esters alkyl sulfonates alcohols/phenolsEthers Anhydrides alcohols/phenols Esters Anhydrides amines/anilinesCarboxamides aryl halides Thiols Thiophenols aryl halides Amines arylamines Aziridines Thiols Thioethers Boronates Glycols boronate esterscarboxylic acids amines/anilines Carboxamides carboxylic acids AlcoholsEsters carboxylic acids hydrazines Hydrazides Carbodiimides Carboxylicacids N-acylureas or anhydrides Diazoalkanes Carboxylic acids EstersEpoxides Thiols Thioethers haloacetamides Thiols ThioethersHalotriazines amines/anilines Aminotriazines Halotriazinesalcohols/phenols triazinyl ethers imido esters amines/anilines AmidinesIsocyanates amines/anilines Ureas Isocyanates alcohols/phenols Urethanesisothiocyanates amines/anilines Thioureas Maleimides Thiols Thioethersphosphoramidites Alcohols phosphite esters silyl halides Alcohols silylethers sulfonate esters amines/anilines alkyl amines sulfonate estersThiols Thioethers sulfonate esters Carboxylic acids Esters sulfonateesters Alcohols Ethers sulfonyl halides amines/anilines Sulfonamidessulfonyl halides phenols/alcohols sulfonate esters *Activated esters, asunderstood in the art, generally have the formula —COΩ, where Ω is agood leaving group (e.g. oxysuccinimidyl (—OC₄H₄O₂) oxysulfosuccinimidyl(—OC₄H₃O₂—SO₃H), -1-oxybenzotriazolyl (—OC₆H₄N₃); or an aryloxy group oraryloxy substituted one or more times by electron withdrawingsubstituents such as nitro, fluoro, chloro, cyano, or trifluoromethyl,or combinations thereof, used to form activated aryl esters; or acarboxylic acid activated by a carbodiimide to form an anhydride ormixed anhydride OCOR^(a) or —OCNR^(a)NHR^(b), where R^(a) and R^(b),which may be the same or different, are C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆perfluoroalkyl, or C₁-C₆ alkoxy; or cyclohexyl, 3-dimethylaminopropyl,or N-morpholinoethyl). **Acyl azides can also rearrange to isocyanates

In one aspect, the compound comprises (in addition to the reactivehydrazine) at least one reactive group that selectively reacts with anamine group. This amine-reactive group is selected from the groupconsisting of succinimidyl ester, sulfonyl halide, tetrafluorophenylester and iosothiocyanates. Thus, in one aspect, the present compoundsform a covalent bond with an amine-containing molecule in a sample. Inanother aspect, the compound comprises at least one reactive group thatselectively reacts with a thiol group. This thiol-reactive group isselected from the group consisting of maleimide, haloalkyl andhaloacetamide (including any reactive groups disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,362,628; 5,352,803 and 5,573,904).

Choice of the reactive group used to attach the compound of theinvention to the substance to be conjugated typically depends on thereactive or functional group on the substance to be conjugated and thetype or length of covalent linkage desired. The types of functionalgroups typically present on the organic or inorganic substances(biomolecule or non-biomolecule) include, but are not limited to,amines, amides, thiols, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, ketones,phosphates, imidazoles, hydrazines, hydroxylamines, disubstitutedamines, halides, epoxides, silyl halides, carboxylate esters, sulfonateesters, purines, pyrimidines, carboxylic acids, olefinic bonds, or acombination of these groups. A single type of reactive site may beavailable on the substance (typical for polysaccharides or silica), or avariety of sites may occur (e.g., amines, thiols, alcohols, phenols), asis typical for proteins.

Typically, the reactive group will react with an amine, a thiol, analcohol, an aldehyde, a ketone, or with silica. Preferably, reactivegroups react with an amine or a thiol functional group, or with silica.In one embodiment, the reactive group is an acrylamide, an activatedester of a carboxylic acid, an acyl azide, an acyl nitrile, an aldehyde,an alkyl halide, a silyl halide, an anhydride, an aniline, an arylhalide, an azide, an aziridine, a boronate, a diazoalkane, ahaloacetamide, a halotriazine, a hydrazine (including hydrazides), animido ester, an isocyanate, an isothiocyanate, a maleimide, aphosphoramidite, a reactive platinum complex, a sulfonyl halide, or athiol group. By “reactive platinum complex” is particularly meantchemically reactive platinum complexes such as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,714,327.

Where the reactive group is an activated ester of a carboxylic acid,such as a succinimidyl ester of a carboxylic acid, a sulfonyl halide, atetrafluorophenyl ester or an isothiocyanates, the resulting compound isparticularly useful for preparing conjugates of carrier molecules suchas proteins, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, or haptens. Where thereactive group is a maleimide, haloalkyl or haloacetamide (including anyreactive groups disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,362,628; 5,352,803 and5,573,904 (supra)) the resulting compound is particularly useful forconjugation to thiol-containing substances. Where the reactive group isa hydrazide, the resulting compound is particularly useful forconjugation to periodate-oxidized carbohydrates and glycoproteins, andin addition is an aldehyde-fixable polar tracer for cell microinjection.Where the reactive group is a silyl halide, the resulting compound isparticularly useful for conjugation to silica surfaces, particularlywhere the silica surface is incorporated into a fiber optic probesubsequently used for remote ion detection or quantification.

In a particular aspect, the reactive group is a photoactivatable groupsuch that the group is only converted to a reactive species afterillumination with an appropriate wavelength. An appropriate wavelengthis generally a UV wavelength that is less than 400 nm. This methodprovides for specific attachment to only the target molecules, either insolution or immobilized on a solid or semi-solid matrix. In this way,present dye compounds that comprise a photoactivatable reactive groupassociate with anionic proteins and can be covalently conjugated to theproteins. Photoactivatable reactive groups include, without limitation,benzophenones, aryl azides and diazirines.

Preferably, the reactive group is a photoactivatable group, succinimidylester of a carboxylic acid, a haloacetamide, haloalkyl, a hydrazine, anisothiocyanate, a maleimide group, an aliphatic amine, a silyl halide, acadaverine or a psoralen. More preferably, the reactive group is asuccinimidyl ester of a carboxylic acid, a maleimide, an iodoacetamide,or a silyl halide. In a particular embodiment the reactive group is asuccinimidyl ester of a carboxylic acid, a sulfonyl halide, atetrafluorophenyl ester, an iosothiocyanates or a maleimide.

The selection of a covalent linkage to attach the reporter molecule tothe earner molecule or solid support typically depends on the chemicallyreactive group on the component to be conjugated. The discussionregarding reactive groups in the section immediately preceding isrelevant here as well. In addition to the hydrazinyl appendage,exemplary reactive groups typically present on the biological ornon-biological components include, but are not limited to, amines,thiols, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, ketones, phosphates, imidazoles,hydrazines, hydroxylamines, disubstituted amines, halides, epoxides,sulfonate esters, purines, pyrimidines, carboxylic acids, or acombination of these groups. A single type of reactive site may beavailable on the component (typical for polysaccharides), or a varietyof sites may occur (e.g. amines, thiols, alcohols, phenols), as istypical for proteins. A Garner molecule or solid support may beconjugated to more than one reporter molecule, which may be the same ordifferent, or to a substance that is additionally modified by a hapten.Although some selectivity can be obtained by careful control of thereaction conditions, selectivity of labeling is best obtained byselection of an appropriate reactive compound.

In another exemplary embodiment, the dye is covalently bound to acarrier molecule. If the compound has a reactive group, than the carriermolecule can alternatively be linked to the compound through thereactive group. The reactive group may contain both a reactivefunctional moiety and a linker, or only the reactive functional moiety.

A variety of carrier molecules are useful in the present invention.Exemplary carrier molecules include antigens, steroids, vitamins, drugs,haptens, metabolites, toxins, environmental pollutants, amino acids,peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, nucleic acid polymers, carbohydrates,lipids, and polymers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier molecule comprises an aminoacid, a peptide, a protein, a polysaccharide, a nucleoside, anucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid, a hapten, a psoralen, adrug, a hormone, a lipid, a lipid assembly, a synthetic polymer, apolymeric microparticle, a biological cell, a virus and combinationsthereof. In another exemplary embodiment, the carrier molecule isselected from a hapten, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acidpolymer, a protein, a peptide or a polysaccharide. In another exemplaryembodiment, at least one member selected from R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶,R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹,R²², R²³, R²⁴, R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷, R²⁸, and R²⁹ comprise a carrier molecule.In another exemplary embodiment one of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸,R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, R²²,R²³, R²⁴, R²⁵, R²⁶, R²⁷, R²⁸ and R²⁹ comprises a carrier group boundthrough a substituted alkyl group or reactive group, such as analkyl-succinamidyl group.

In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier molecule comprises an aminoacid, a peptide, a protein, a polysaccharide, a nucleoside, anucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid, a hapten, a psoralen, adrug, a hormone, a lipid, a lipid assembly, a synthetic polymer, apolymeric microparticle, a biological cell, a virus and combinationsthereof. In another exemplary embodiment, the carrier molecule, isselected from a hapten, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acidpolymer, a protein, a peptide or a polysaccharide. In a preferredembodiment the carrier molecule is amino acid, a peptide, a protein, apolysaccharide, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, anucleic acid, a hapten, a psoralen, a drug, a hormone, a lipid, a lipidassembly, a tyramine, a synthetic polymer, a polymeric microparticle, abiological cell, cellular components, an on chelating moiety, anenzymatic substrate or a virus. In another preferred embodiment, thecarrier molecule is an antibody or fragment thereof, an antigen, anavidin or streptavidin, a biotin, a dextran, an antibody bindingprotein, a fluorescent protein, agarose, and a non-biologicalmicroparticle. Typically, the carrier molecule is an antibody, anantibody fragment, antibody-binding proteins, avidin, streptavidin, atoxin, a lectin, or a growth factor. Preferred haptens include biotin,digoxigenin and fluorophores.

Antibody binging proteins include, but are not limited to, protein A,protein G, soluble Fc receptor, protein L, lectins, anti-IgG, anti-IgA,anti-IgM, anti-IgD, anti-IgE or a fragment thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enzymatic substrate is selected from anamino acid, peptide, sugar, alcohol, alkanoic acid, 4-guanidinobenzoicacid, nucleic acid, lipid, sulfate, phosphate, —CH₂OCOalkyl andcombinations thereof. Thus, the enzyme substrates can be cleave byenzymes selected from the group consisting of peptidase, phosphatase,glycosidase, dealkylase, esterase, guanidinobenzotase, sulfatase,lipase, peroxidase, histone deacetylase, endoglycoceramidase,exonuclease, reductase and endonuclease.

In another exemplary embodiment, the carrier molecule is an amino acid(including those that are protected or are substituted by phosphates,carbohydrates, or C₁ to C₂₂ carboxylic acids), or a polymer of aminoacids such as a peptide or protein. In a related embodiment, the carriermolecule contains at least five amino acids, more preferably 5 to 36amino acids. Exemplary peptides include, butane not limited to,neuropeptides, cytokines, toxins, protease substrates, and proteinkinase substrates. Other exemplary peptides may function as organellelocalization peptides, that is, peptides that serve to target theconjugated compound for localization within a particular cellularsubstructure by cellular transport mechanisms. Preferred protein carriermolecules include enzymes, antibodies, lectins, glycoproteins, histones,albumins, lipoproteins, avidin, streptavidin, protein A, protein G,phycobiliproteins and other fluorescent proteins, hormones, toxins andgrowth factors. Typically, the protein earner molecule is an antibody,an antibody fragment, avidin, streptavidin, a toxin, a lectin, or agrowth factor. Exemplary haptens include biotin, digoxigenin andfluorophores.

In another exemplary embodiment, the carrier molecule comprises anucleic acid base, nucleoside, nucleotide or a nucleic acid polymer,optionally containing an additional linker or spacer for attachment of afluorophore or other ligand, such as an alkynyl linkage (U.S. Pat. No.5,047,519), an aminoallyl linkage (U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,955) or otherlinkage. In another exemplary embodiment, the nucleotide carriermolecule is a nucleoside or a deoxynucleoside or a dideoxynucleoside.

Exemplary nucleic acid polymer earner molecules are single- ormulti-stranded, natural or synthetic DNA or RNA oligonucleotides, orDNA/RNA hybrids, or incorporating an unusual linker such as morpholinederivatized phosphates (AntiVirals, Inc., Corvallis Oreg.), or peptidenucleic acids such as N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine units, where the nucleicacid contains fewer than 50 nucleotides, more typically fewer than 25nucleotides.

In another exemplary embodiment, the carrier molecule comprises acarbohydrate or polyol that is typically a polysaccharide, such asdextran, FICOLL, heparin, glycogen, amylopectin, mannan, inulin, starch,agarose and cellulose, or is a polymer such as a polyethylene glycol).In a related embodiment, the polysaccharide earner molecule includesdextran, agarose or FICOLL.

In another exemplary embodiment, the carrier molecule comprises a lipid(typically having 6-25 carbons), including glycolipids, phospholipids,and sphingolipids. Alternatively, the carrier molecule comprises a lipidvesicle, such as a liposome, or is a lipoprotein (see below). Somelipophilic substituents are useful for facilitating transport of theconjugated dye into cells or cellular organelles.

Alternatively, the carrier molecule is cells, cellular systems, cellularfragments, or subcellular particles. Examples of this type of conjugatedmaterial include virus particles, bacterial particles, virus components,biological cells (such as animal cells, plant cells, bacteria, oryeast), or cellular components. Examples of cellular components that canbe labeled, or whose constituent molecules can be labeled, include butare not limited to lysosomes, endosomes, cytoplasm, nuclei, histones,mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum and vacuoles.

In another embodiment the carrier molecule is a metal chelating moiety.While any chelator that binds a metal on of interest and gives a changein its fluorescence properties is a suitable conjugate, preferred metalchelating moieties are crown ethers, including diaryldiaza crown ethers,as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,975 to Kuhn et al. (1995);derivatives of 1,2-bis-(2-aminophenoxyethane)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid(BAPTA), as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,517 to Kuhn et al. (1995)(incorporated by reference) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,673 to Tsien et al.(1991); derivatives of 2-carboxymethoxy-aniline-N,N-diacetic acid(APTRA), as described by Ragu et al., Am. J. Physiol., 256: C540 (1989);and pyridyl-based and phenanthroline metal on chelators, as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,648,270 to Kuhn at al. (1997).

Aldehyde/ketone-sensing conjugates of the invention are optionallyprepared in chemically reactive forms and further conjugated to polymerssuch as dextrans to improve their utility as sensors as described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,975 and 5,453,517.

In another exemplary embodiment, the carrier molecule non-covalentlyassociates with organic or inorganic materials. Exemplary embodiments ofthe carrier molecule that possess a lipophilic substituent can be usedto target lipid assemblies such as biological membranes or liposomes bynon-covalent incorporation of the dye compound within the membrane,e.g., for use as probes for membrane structure or for incorporation inliposomes, lipoproteins, films, plastics, lipophilic microspheres orsimilar materials.

In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier molecule comprises a specificbinding pair member wherein the present compounds are conjugated to aspecific binding pair member and are used to detect an analyte in asample. Alternatively, the presence of the labeled specific binding pairmember indicates the location of the complementary member of thatspecific binding pair; each specific binding pair member having an areaon the surface or in a cavity which specifically binds to, and iscomplementary with, a particular spatial and polar organization of theother. Exemplary binding pairs are set forth in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Representative Specific Binding Pairs Antigen Antibody Biotinavidin (or streptavidin or anti-biotin) IgG* protein A or protein G Drugdrug receptor Folate folate binding protein Toxin toxin receptorCarbohydrate lectin or carbohydrate receptor Peptide peptide receptorProtein protein receptor enzyme substrate Enzyme DNA (RNA) cDNA (cRNA)†Hormone hormone receptor Ion Chelator Antibody antibody-binding proteins*IgG is an immunoglobulin †cDNA and cRNA are the complementary strandsused for hybridizationAnalytes:

Analytes of interest are preferably bound through a hydrazinyl group onthe dye or a reporter moiety bound to the dye. The analytes include: anamino acid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, a polysaccharide, anucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, ahapten, a psoralen, a drug, a hormone, a lipid, a lipid assembly, asynthetic polymer, a biotin-binding protein, a polymeric microparticle,a biological cell and a virus. In another embodiment, the analytecomprises a carbonyl group. In another embodiment, the analyte comprisesan aldehyde or ketone group. In another embodiment the analyte ismalondialdehyde. In another embodiment the analyte is 4-hydroxynonenal.

In one embodiment the analyte described herein is a result of oxidativestress, such as from interaction with a superoxide, hydroxy, peroxy,alkoxy, hydroperoxy, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid, ozone, asinglet oxygen, or peroxynitrite. In another embodiment the analyte isindicative of activity or inactivity of superoxide dismutase, catalase,glutathione peroxidase or substrates relating thereto, including,vitamin A, E, ascorbate or glutathione. In another embodiment, theanalyte is a biomarker for a disease such as alzheimers, parkinsons,atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, or cancer.

In a preferred embodiment the analyte is a result of a ROS (reactiveoxygen species) pathway. In another embodiment the analyte is a productof lipid peroxidation. More particularly, the analyte ismalonidialdehye.

In another embodiment, the sample comprises live cells, intracellularfluids, extracellular fluids, biological fluids, biological fermentationmedia, environmental sample, industrial samples, proteins, peptides,buffer solutions biological fluids or chemical reactors. In anotherembodiment, the sample comprises blood cells, immune cells, culturedcells, muscle tissue, neurons, extracellular vesicles; vascular tissue,blood fluids, saliva, urine; water, soil, waste water, sea water;pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs or beverages. In another embodiment, thesample is immobilized on a polymeric membrane, within a polymeric gel,on a microparticle, on a microarray, on a silicon chip, on a glassslide, on a microwell plate, and on a microfluidic chip.

Illumination

The sample or medium in which the aldehyde/ketone sensitive dye ispresent is illuminated with a wavelength of light selected to give adetectable optical response, and observed with a means for detecting theoptical response. Equipment that is useful for illuminating the presentcompounds and compositions of the invention includes, but is not limitedto, hand-held ultraviolet lamps, mercury arc lamps, xenon lamps, lasersand laser diodes. These illumination sources are optically integratedinto laser scanners, fluorescence microplate readers or standard ormicrofluorometers.

The dyes of the invention may, at any time after or during an assay, beilluminated with a wavelength of light that results in a detectableoptical response, and observed with a means for detecting the opticalresponse. Upon illumination, such as by an ultraviolet or visiblewavelength emission lamp, an arc lamp, a laser, or even sunlight orordinary room light, the fluorescent compounds, including those bound tothe complementary specific binding pair member, display intense visibleabsorption as well as fluorescence emission. Selected equipment that isuseful for illuminating the fluorescent compounds of the inventionincludes, but is not limited to, hand-held ultraviolet lamps, mercuryarc lamps, xenon lamps, argon lasers, laser diodes, and YAG lasers.These illumination sources are optionally integrated into laserscanners, fluorescence microplate readers, standard or minifluorometers, or chromatographic detectors. This fluorescence emissionis optionally detected by visual inspection, or by use of any of thefollowing devices: CCD cameras, video cameras, photographic film, laserscanning devices, fluorometers, photodiodes, quantum counters,epifluorescence microscopes, scanning microscopes, flow cytometers,fluorescence microplate readers, or by means for amplifying the signalsuch as photomultiplier tubes. Where the sample is examined using a flowcytometer, a fluorescence microscope or a fluorometer, the instrument isoptionally used to distinguish and discriminate between the fluorescentcompounds of the invention and a second fluorophore with detectablydifferent optical properties, typically by distinguishing thefluorescence response of the fluorescent compounds of the invention fromthat of the second fluorophore. Where a sample is examined using a flowcytometer, examination of the sample optionally includes isolation ofparticles within the sample based on the fluorescence response by usinga sorting device. In another embodiment, the illumination source is usedto form a covalent bond between the present dye and an analyte ofinterest. In this instance the dye comprises a photoactivatable reactivegroup, such as those discussed above.

A detailed description of the invention having been provided above, thefollowing examples are given for the purpose of illustrating theinvention and shall not be construed as being a limitation on the scopeof the invention or claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Compound 1

A mixture of 3,6-dichlorosulfofluoran (800 mg, 1.97 mmol) and tert-butylcarbazate (1.56 g, 11.82 mmol) in 15 ml of dry acetonitrile was stirredat 65° C. for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to roomtemperature and the resulting orange-red solid collected by filtrationto give 850 mg of Compound 1.

Example 2 Compound 2

To an ice-cooled solution of 2 ml of trifluoroacetic acid was addedCompound 1 (200 mg, 0.335 mmol) in a small portion over a 5-minuteperiod. After stirring the ice-cooled temperature for 30 minutes,chloroform (about 10 ml) was added to the reaction mixture. Theresulting orange-red solid was collected by filtration, washed withether and dried under vacuum to give 160 mg of Compound 2.

Example 3 Compound 3

A mixture of 3,6-dichlorosulfofluoran (500 mg, 1.23 mmol) and tert-butylcarbazate (650 mg, 4.93 mmol) in 10 ml of dry acetonitrile was stirredat room temperature for 12 hours. After the reaction mixture wasconcentrated in vacuo, the resulting crude mixture was purified bycolumn chromatography on silica gel eluting with 5/95 V/Vmethanol-chloroform to give 350 mg of Compound 3 orange solid.

Example 4 Compound 4

To a solution of Compound 3 (200 mg, 0.40 mmol) in 5 ml of dryN,N-dimethylformamide was added 1 ml of sodium methoxide solution inmethanol (0.5 M) and the mixture was stirred at approximately 65° C.under nitrogen atmosphere for 5 hours. The resulting reaction mixturewas cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The crudeproduct was then purified by column chromatography on silica gel elutingwith 7% methanol in chloroform to give 125 mg of Compound 4 as orangesolid.

Example 5 Compound 5

To an ice-cold solution of 1 ml of trifluoroacetic acid was addedCompound 4 (150 mg, 0.30 mmol) in a small portion over a 5-minuteperiod. After stirring for 30 minutes, the resulting solid was collectedby filtration, washed with ether and dried in vacuo to give 72 mg ofCompound 5 as orange solid.

Example 6 Compound 6

To a solution of tert-butyl carbazate (2 g, 15 mmol) in 10 mlacetonitrile was added 1,3-propanesulfone (0.67 ml, 7.5 mmol) and themixture was stirred at room temperature for two days. All the solventwas then removed in vacuo and the resulting crude product was purifiedby column chromatography on silica gel eluting with 25% methanol inchloroform to give 1.8 g of Compound 6 as off-white solid.

Example 7 Compound 7

A sample of 3,6-dichlorofluoran (100 mg, 0.25 mmol) and Compound 6 (156mg, 0.62 mmol) were dissolved in a mixture of 10 ml of acetonitrile and4 ml of N,N-dimethylforamide, After stirring at 65° C. for 2 hours, allthe solvent was removed in vacuo and the resulting crude material waspurified by column chromatography over LH-20 Sephadex eluting with waterto give 80 mg of Compound 7 as orange-red solid.

Example 8 Compound 8

To an ice-cold solution of 1 ml of trifluoroacetic acid was addedCompound 7 (50 mg, 0.06 mmol) in a small portion over a 5-minute period.After stirring at ice-cold temperature for one hour, chloroform (about10 ml) was added to the reaction mixture. The resulting orange-red solidwas collected by filtration, washed with ether and dried under vacuum togive 26 mg of Compound 8 as orange-red solid.

Example 9 Compound 9

To a solution of tert-butylcarbazate (250 mg, 1.9 mmol) in 10 ml ofacetonitrile was added a suspension of 4-bromobutyltriphenylphosphoniumbromide (95 mg, 0.63 mmol) and the mixture was heated under reflux for12 hours. All the solvent was removed in vacuo and the resulting crudeproduct was purified by column chromatography over silica gel to give250 mg of Compound 9 an off-white solid.

Example 10 Compound 10

To a solution of 3,6-dichlorosulfofluoran (68 mg, 0.17 mmol) in 1 ml ofN,N-dimethylformamide was added Compound 9 (90 mg, 0.17 mmol). Afterstirring at room temperature for 30 minutes, the mixture wasconcentrated in vacuo and the resulting crude product was purified bycolumn chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% methanol inchloroform to give 120 mg of Compound 10 as orange solid.

Example 11 Compound 11

To a solution of Compound 10 (110 mg, 0.14 mmol) in 3 ml ofdichloromethane was added dibutylamine (30 ul, 2 mmol) and the mixturewas stirred near 60° C. for 12 hours. After removing all the solventunder vacuum, the resulting crude product was purified by columnchromatography over silica gel eluting with 10% methanol in chloroformto give 68 mg of Compound 11 as orange-red solid.

Example 12 Compound 12

To an ice-cold solution of Compound 11 (20 mg, 0.02 mmol) in 1 mlchloroform was added 250 ul of trifluoroacetic acid and the mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 2 hours. All the solvent was removedunder vacuum and the crude product was purified by column chromatographyover silica gel eluting with water/methanol/chloroform (2:30:68 v/v/v)to give 10 mg of Compound 12 as red solid.

Compound Table: Compound No. Structure 2

5

8

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

Example 13 Aldehyde Reactivity of Compounds

A sample of Compound 2 (5 mg, 0.0126 mmol) is dissolved in 10 ml of pH6.5, 50 mmol phosphate buffer solution. To this non-fluorescentsolution, is added 25 ul, 1 mol solution of acetaldehyde in water atroom temperature. Within a few minutes, the solution becomes highlyfluorescent. The reaction is complete in 10 minutes to give a stableoxime analog. Its absorption max is at 548 nm and emission max is at 580nm (see FIGS. 3A and B)

Each of the above-cited references are hereby incorporated by referenceas if set forth fully herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hydrazinyl-substituted compound ofFormula I:

or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof; wherein,X is H or an analyte selected from the group consisting of an aminoacid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, a polysaccharide, anucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, adrug, a lipid, a synthetic polymer, malondialdehyde, and4-hydroxynonenal; R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyland substituted alkyl; R^(1a) is H; R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo,hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy,thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substitutedaryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substitutedcycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; and R³ isselected from the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, amino,substituted amino, hydrazinyl, substituted hydrazinyl, analytesubstituted hydrazinyl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, acyl, acylamino,acyloxy, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino,aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl,aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl, carboxyl ester,(carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro,SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol,alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; or R² and R³, R³ and R⁴, orR², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to form a fused heterocyclyl group, afused substituted heterocyclyl group, a fused aryl group, a fusedsubstituted aryl group, a fused heteroaryl group or a fused substitutedheteroaryl group.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R², R³ and R⁴ aretaken together to form a fused heterocyclyl group or substituted fusedheterocyclyl group of the formula:

and R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy,acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl,aminothiocarbonyl, aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino,aminocarbonyloxy, aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino,amidino, carboxyl, carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxylester)oxy, cyano, halo, hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substitutedsulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substitutedalkylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl,cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substitutedheterocyclyl.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein X is H.
 4. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein X is an analyte.
 5. The compound of claim4, wherein the analyte is bound through an imine.
 6. The compound ofclaim 4, wherein the analyte comprises an aldehyde group.
 7. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein R³ is analyte substituted hydrazinyl. 8.The compound of claim 7, wherein the analyte of R³ is bound through animine.
 9. The compound of claim 7, wherein the analyte of R³ is selectedfrom the group consisting of an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, acarbohydrate, a polysaccharide, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, anoligonucleotide, a nucleic acid polymer, a drug, a lipid, and asynthetic polymer.
 10. The compound of claim 7, wherein the analyte ofR³ comprises a carbonyl group or an aldehyde group.
 11. A compoundselected from the group consisting of:


12. A method for determining the presence of an analyte of interest in asample, wherein the analyte of interest is selected from the groupconsisting of an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, a carbohydrate, apolysaccharide, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, anucleic acid polymer, a drug, a lipid, a synthetic polymer,malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxynonenal, wherein the method comprises:contacting the sample with a compound having Formula I:

or a stereoisomer, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or salt thereof; wherein,X is H; R¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl andsubstituted alkyl; R^(1a) is H; R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ areeach independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy,amino, substituted amino, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo,hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻,sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy,thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substitutedaryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substitutedcycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; R³ is selectedfrom the group consisting of alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, amino,substituted amino, hydrazinyl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, acyl,acylamino, acyloxy, aminocarbonyl, aminothiocarbonyl,aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy,aminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyloxy, aminosulfonylamino, amidino, carboxyl,carboxyl ester, (carboxyl ester)amino, (carboxyl ester)oxy, cyano, halo,hydroxy, nitro, SO₃ ⁻, sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy,thioacyl, thiol, alkylthio, substituted alkylthio, aryl, substitutedaryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substitutedcycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, and substituted heterocyclyl; or R² and R³, R³and R⁴, or R², R³ and R⁴ are taken together to form a fused heterocyclylgroup, a fused substituted heterocyclyl group, a fused aryl group, afused substituted aryl group, a fused heteroaryl group or a fusedsubstituted heteroaryl group; incubating the sample and the compound fora sufficient amount of time to form a complex between the compound andanalyte; illuminating the complex with an appropriate wavelength to forman illuminated complex; and detecting emissions from the illuminatedcomplex.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the analyte and thecompound are connected by a covalent bond.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the analyte is bound to the compound through an imine.
 15. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the compound becomes fluorescent afterformation of the complex.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein theanalyte comprises an aldehyde group.
 17. The method of claim 12, whereinthe sample comprises live cells, intracellular fluids, extracellularfluids, biological fluids, biological fermentation media, environmentalsample, industrial samples, proteins, peptides, buffer solutionsbiological fluids or chemical reactors.
 18. The method of claim 12,wherein the sample comprises blood cells, immune cells, cultured cells,muscle tissue, neurons, extracellular vesicles; vascular tissue, bloodfluids, saliva, urine; water, soil, waste water, sea water;pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs or beverages.
 19. The method of claim 12,wherein the sample is immobilized on a polymeric membrane, within apolymeric gel, on a microparticle, on a microarray, on a silicon chip,on a glass slide, on a microwell plate, and on a microfluidic chip.